Woes of a village policeman

Abdur Rashid Bakshi

Economic hardship has turned him apathetic. He is even unable to treat his ailing wife due to abject poverty.

In 1980, life became miserable due to continued unemployment. In desperation, he prayed for a job to the then newly elected chairman of Alinagar union. The chairman tried to mitigate his sufferings by employing him as a Gram Police in his union. But to utter dismay his condition improved little.

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As a Gram Police he is supposed to receive 700 taka per month. But actually he receives only 350 taka, half the amount from the Upazila Parishad. The Union Parishad has been depriving him of the rest 350 taka for years together. This is the reason of his misery.

A Gram Police like him has to maintain family with a meager amount. 'UP chairmen and members get elected spending lots of money,' Rashid says. But they give him a lame excuse of fund shortage in the UP. 'The entire amount was spent in various development activities. Under the circumstance, how shall I pay you the amount,' the chairman asks him.

Despite all odds, 65-year-old Rashid has to do a lot of works as a Gram Police. According to job description he has to maintain the law and order in his area, protect fellow villagers from the clutch of criminals, inform the thana authorities timely about incidents of murder, rape, robbery and dacoity. He also helps police nab criminals, escorts criminals to courts. It is his duty to submit the weekly report of his area to the Sadar thana every Monday.

He even spends money from his pocket for the same purpose. If his pocket is empty he has to walk down all the way to the Sadar thana.

Moreover, he maintains the birth and death register, keeps the list of blinds, beggars and distressed people. He is responsible for sending chairman's notice and members' mails to the addressees. But nobody inquires about his welfare.

Eid usually brings joy for all. During the Eid season government employees get festival bonus, but a Gram Police does not get even his remuneration.

While narrating misery tears rolled down the chicks of Abdur Rashid. 'Eid comes for chairman and members, not for us', he lamented.

Rashid Chowkider also faces physical torture while arresting any influential in the area as per chairman's order. As he did not attend any training course, he is not skilled enough to protect himself from criminals' attack. Sometimes they overpower him and escape safely.

As the Union Parishad do not supply him umbrella, raincoat or torchlight, he suffers a lot.

Rashid is not at all aware about the well-being of 42,000 gram policemen scattered all over the country. But he has many demands before the government. His first demand is regular payment at a time, not bit by bit. He says beggars live by begging, but he has to wait for a long time for his dues although he works the whole day.

Rashid burst into tears while narrating his woes, but who cares?

--Mass-line Feature.