Villagers affected in no man’s land

The plight of villagers in no man’s land in the lockdown is a matter of concern. Although Assam is reported to be doing well in controlling the positive cases of COVID-19, yet the current lockdown scenario brings problems for the villagers in no man’s land. Villagers living in a no man’s land along the Bangladesh border in Assam’s Karimganj, Cachar and Dhubri districts are struggling to survive during the ongoing nationwide lockdown. With no food at home, nor access to medical assistance, several families in these three villages are facing many difficulties. These villages are trapped in a no man’s land as the Indo-Bangladesh border fencing was constructed at a distance of several feets from the international border. Earlier, the villagers came to either side of the districts to purchase essential commodities and to farm their lands. But recently the Border Security Force (BSF) sealed the international border when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the countrywide lockdown last month. Several stranded villagers’ complained that they have no food left at home. Even the authorities have not allowed them to go outside to purchase any food items. They are facing many additional difficulties. The plight of these villagers would be unimaginable if no immediate measures are adopted by the Government. It is important for the Government to address to the problems of these villagers.

Kumar Roshan Dusad,

Mangaldai