Employment, accommodation crises hit Harijans in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Nov 4: The Harijans at Ward No. 11 in the city have been suffering from employment and accommodation crisis for long.
The Harijan Palli (village) is located in 6.6 acres of land. At least 250 families have been living here for ages. There are a pond and a primary school in this village.
The  Harijans are not getting any work for leading a normal life. They said water-logging is a year-long problem in their area. Besides, roads are broken and narrow. Their main problem was that there were only four toilets for 1,500 people living here.
However, when AHM Khairuzzaman Liton was elected mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), their toilet crisis was solved but other problems are still prevailing.
President of Harijan Bijoy Boys Club Sri Hari Lal Babu said, "There are 250 families in our village. Among them, eight Muslim families also live here. Others belong to Harijan community."
He further said, "Our main problem is employment and accommodation. We do not have any deeds of the lands where we live. Before the RCC election in 2013, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton visited our locality and assured that he would build flats for us. But, the assurance was not implemented. After his victory in 2018 mayoral election, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton has done some development in the locality."
Bharat Babu, a resident of the locality, said, "The Harijans have been living here for the last 300 years. The number of the people has increased here, but employment and accommodation have not increased. People are living in small houses in an unhealthy environment."
Maloti Rani, another resident said, children of this locality were not educated before. But now, most of the students are going to school. More girls than the boys are studying.
Dipi Rani, a housewife said, they do not get work in any food hotel as they belong to the Harijan community. They are being deprived of many facilities.
Concerned Ward Councillor Robiul Islam Toju said unemployment problem prevails in the whole country. But the accommodation problem of the Harijans is serious. An organisation of Norway has promised of their rehabilitation.
In this connection, RCC Chief Engineer Ashraful Haque said, Tk 1.20 crore was allocated for developing the slums of the metropolis and the Harijan colony. In the meantime, most of the development work has been completed.
While asked about the flat for the Harijans, he said, it is true that the mayor has assured them in this connection. The mayor has a different plan for the Harijans.