KURIGRAM, Feb 08 (UNB): Despite the rising political atmosphere ahead of the national elections, the impact is barely felt in the char areas of Kurigram.
For residents here, immediate concerns far outweigh electoral politics - from securing a home and accessing medical care to ensuring their families survive and their children receive an education.
About 5,200 voters live in around 20 chars, including Kalir Alga, Goyalpuri, Purba Jhunka, Ashtaashir Char, Chira Khaa, and Khear Char in Jatrapur Union of Kurigram Sadar Upazila, separated by the Brahmaputra River. Many are not very interested in this year's national parliamentary elections. Many do not know what a 'yes' or 'no' vote is and have little understanding of the voting process.
Poverty and river erosion dominate daily life in this remote char area of Kurigram, the country's most impoverished district. The lives of people in the areas depend on the river, and are highly uncertain. Every monsoon, homes, croplands, and roads are washed away as a result of continuous river erosion since 1950. Jamal, a resident of Kalir Alga Char, said, "What will happen with voting? The river keeps breaking. Today there are houses, tomorrow there are none. Voting does not come to mind with this thought."
Rafiqul Islam, a farmer from Goyalpuri Char, said that no one visits during voting time, and even if they do, they leave once voting is over. "So we don't have time to think about the vote," he added.
Although government primary schools exist in the char areas, the education system has collapsed as teachers rarely attend.
A parent from Purba Jhunka Char said that there is a school, but no one knows how many days a month the teacher comes. "Children are falling behind in their studies."
Healthcare is also precarious. There is no permanent health centre. Rokeya Begum, a housewife from Chira Khaa Char, said, "It is difficult to find a boat if you are sick. It takes a long time to reach the city. Who will think about voting then?"
Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, president of the Char Development and Implementation Council, Kurigram district, said Kurigram district has 469 chars, including 16 island chars, covering about 800 square kilometres.
