Election 2008

<i>No empty promise this time</i>

Erosion victims in Rajbari-1 vow to vote 'the right man'

6 December 2008, 18:00 PM

Himangshu Kumar Saha, Rajbari

Erosion by Padma devours a village in Mizanpur union in Rajbari Sadar upazila.Photo: STAR

Farmer Abdul Kha of Dhunchi village said, "The River Padma has devoured all our homes and hearths. We have nothing now. We were searching for a small piece of land but did not get. None enquired about our well beings. Now is the voting season and all are coming. We will vote the candidate who will work for preventing river erosion". Abdul Kha of Dhunchi village under Mizanpur union of Rajbari Sadar upazila who lost everything to the river erosion over the last five years expressed his frustration in this way. Rajbari-1 constituency comprises of Rajbari Sadar and Gualundo upazilas. The border of the constituency starts along the bank of the river Padma. People here have to fight with flood, natural calamity and river erosion for survival. Every year hundreds of people lose everything to flood and river erosion. No effective steps have yet been taken to prevent river erosion. This correspondent visited Mizanpur and Borat unions under Rajbari sadar upazila on the banks of the river Padma on December 2 to know what people there are thinking about the ensuing national election. Babul Kha said, "We will vote the candidate who will take action to prevent river erosion, will keep our area free of terror, and take action against thieves." Brick kiln labourer Karim Mollah said, "We will vote the candidate who will come forward to do something pragmatic to prevent river erosion." He said, "We expect that the next government will give us a terror-free society." Sujon Biswas of Char Dhunchi village said, "The river erosion victims of the area are unemployed. We will cast our ballots for the candidate who will take steps to create employment." River erosion victim Aku Bepari who now works as a brick field worker said, "When the voting season comes the candidates give big assurances. But once the vote is over they are not available in the area. This time we will think much before giving the vote." Businessman Siddique Biswas said, "During the last election candidates begged our vote promising to construct the Padma Bridge at Daulatdia-Paturia. But it did not materialize. This time we will think twice before casting vote."