Dalits demand housing
The Dalit people yesterday urged the government to ensure accommodation facilities for them throughout the city by formulating a housing policy.
They told a press conference at Dhaka Reporter's Unity that around 55 lakh people of the disadvantaged group have been living in misery due to lack of adequate housing space.
Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement (BDERM) and Nagorik Uddog jointly organised it on the occasion of the World Habitat Day 2011 to be observed on October 4.
The BDERM leaders placed at the event four points of demand including setting up of a separate cell for the Dalits and allocation of khasland to them to ensue their housing security.
They also urged the government to reconstruct their colonies, saying Dalit members cannot rent a house, as the owners do not let them live in their houses.
Moni Rani Das, president of Dalit Nari Forum, said the government has arranged sufficient living space for the birds and animals of the zoo, but it is yet to provide required facilities to the Dalits.
Also speaking at the conference were BDERM president Mukul Sikder, General Secretary Bodhanky Sholoman, and Engineer Salma A Safi.
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