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Considering most of the char residents do not have any
identification documents; they are often marked as illegal
occupants and face unwanted harassment. Children and women earn
their living by rolling bidis. It was reported that if a
Bidi factory worker makes one thousand Bidi he or she is
paid thirty-six rupees. Most of the girls in char areas
are engaged to roll tobacco sheets to make Bidis. It
deteriorates their health condition as they inhale the smell of
tobacco which is injurious to health. A section of char
people also depends on fishing occupation.
These char people are forced to live in unhygienic
condition. As one of our respondents mentioned, ‘nadir jol
filter barabor’ (River water is like filtered water). The
sanitation and hygiene of the women require special attention.
These people are neglected from all corners by the state
machinery. They are deprived of their basic right of
citizenship. The GBPNAC founded by the local activists
Chinmoyee Ghosh and Jalaluddin Ahmed, has been fighting for the
rights of these displaced people. This movement till date hasn’t
received adequate response from the government. There is an
urgent need to deal the issues of the river erosion and to
provide the victims with relief and proper rehabilitation to
live a life of dignity.
Thanks are due to members of Ganga Bhangon Pratirodh Nagorik
Action Committee who helped and guided the CRG team during the
field trip. |
