Based and Basiron, a couple of Dorjipara village in Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh are living an inhuman life as their house has been completely damaged in recent storm.
It is learned that Abdul Based and his wife Basiron Begum have been living an inhuman life for about a month after suddenly losing their house in the storm. Even today, no government relief aid or shelter has been provided to them.
It is alleged, due to the negligence of the Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO), the house of Based and Basiron did not receive any assistance for a month.
It is also known that on May 11, their only house was completely destroyed by the storm. That night, a news item was published on the online news portal 'Dhaka Mail' about the destruction of the house. Since then, they have been living an inhuman life. With the help of some local youths, a temporary shelter has been built with broken tins and bamboo, which becomes ineffective in the slightest storm or rain. There is no security, no food. Even on the day before Eid, the family even given a handful of meat. rice, pulses, oil or salt.
Abdul Based was once a stonemason. He lost his ability to work due to old age. The family used to run on his wife Basiran's meager income. Now both of them are homeless and food deprived.
Abdul Based said, "I am in a lot of trouble after the house collapsed. Whenever it rains, I got wet, and I spend the day without any food. I went to the Upazila Parishad many times, but no one there has provided me any assistance."
Basiron Begum said, "My husband is sick, I can't do anything. It hurts to think that we sat empty-handed during the Eid. If I had received a little help, I would have been able to survive."
Locals alleged that despite repeated appeals to the upazila administration, no effective action was taken so far. After investigating, it was learned that due to negligence of the upazila's Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Maidul Islam, many relief items were lying around and waiting to be distributed. Due to inactivity by the office staff, families in crisis are being deprived of getting any relief.
There are allegations that a huge bill has been raised from the funds allocated for the Kabikha-Kabita and TR projects without actually doing any work. Multiple sources said that even though several lakhs of Taka were allocated for the purchase of dry food and the time for distribution of those has passed but those were purchased yet.
Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Maidul Islam said in this connection, 'We did not know about the family condition of Based before. Last week, when we came to know, we were supposed to go with UNO sir there. Later, UNO sir also said that we should finish the work of Devnagar first. We will go there and take action later.” Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Afroz Shahin Khasru said in this regard, "We will give him tin and money.
The PIO wanted to go and see him but forgot about it. That's why we didn't give him anyassistance. However, we will support him."
