An island deprived of civil rights

Is the state merely a civic space confined to the bright lights of big cities, leaving the lives of people in remote areas as mere shadows? The island town of Urirchar raises this question. Though the island's plea remains unheard, its echo is louder than the roar of the sea. Decades of neglect and natural erosion have ravaged Urirchar. Over the past 25 years, land erosion has not only swallowed parts of the island but also fragmented its administrative identity. Officially, one part of Urirchar falls under Chittagong and another under Noakhali, yet in reality, the island exists nowhere.

Social infrastructure here is in extreme decline. Healthcare is alarming: the only health center has been converted into a police outpost, leaving pregnant mothers and ordinary residents without essential medical services. Education is equally neglected, with a single secondary school operating with just three teachers. Students are forced to travel to the mainland at a young age, negatively affecting their mental and social development.

Immediate action is essential. Islanders must regain the right to elect their own representatives. Schools should be revitalised, health centers reorganised, and adequate teachers and doctors deployed. Improving communication networks is equally critical; without it, civil rights will remain on paper only. Urirchar is not merely an island-it is a mirror of our national conscience.

If the state fails to act, this neglect will one day challenge the very boundaries of our map. Urirchar's plight is not just a call for development; it is a test of our humanity.

Ashikujaman Syed

Business Development Manager

Tianjin Pharmacn Medical Technology Co., Ltd.

Tianjin, China

syedashikujaman@yahoo.com