Declare monga-hit dists as distressed areas
Kamal demands at 14-party rally in Rangpur
Our Correspondent, Rangpur
Gano Forum President Dr. Kamal Hossain yesterday urged the government to declare Rangpur and four adjoining monga-hit districts as 'distressed areas' and arrange adequate food assistance for thousands of poor people there. A number of people died of starvation in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts but the government cared little, he claimed. The coalition government must seek apology publicly for its failure to protect lives of monga-hit people in northern districts, Kamal told a public meeting in Gangachara. The eminent lawyer bitterly criticised the government for its alleged indifference to the disastrous plight of thousands of people. "The incompetent government failed to do anything good in any sector after it came to the power", he told the crowd at KNB Government Primary School ground at Kochua. Dr. Kamal was also critical of the alleged government move to cut the number of VGF (vulnerable group feeding) beneficiaries in every union. "Last year there were 4000 VGF beneficiaries in every union across country whereas the number is 2200 this year", he said. He gave an assurance that monga would eradicated with long-term programmes if the 14-party alliance goes to power in future. A plan for this will be declared at the November 22 grand rally of the alliance in Dhaka, he said. Gono Forum is a component of the alliance led by Awami League. Dr. Kamal said, after visiting Rangpur and Kurigram last year, he had urged the government to launch food for works programme in monga-hit areas but it did not care. Awami League Presidium member Suranjit Sen Gupta MP called upon the people to unite to oust the alliance government from power with an aim to form a 'pro-people government'. He bitterly criticised the alliance government for Bangladesh having topped the list of corrupt countries in the world for the fourth consecutive year under its rule. Suronjit demanded distribution of 20 kg rice a week to every VGF cardholder in northern districts during the monga period. After the meeting, the alliance leaders distributed 1.5 tonnes of rice among people in Kochua union. Organizing Secretary of JCD Rezaul Karim Tansen, JSD Joint Secretary Najmul Hoque Pradhan, Warkers Party Politbureau member Fazle Hossen Badsha, AL Relief Affair Secretary Prof Nazma Rahman, AL Treasurer HN Ashiqur Rahman, Gonotantri Party Presidium member Mohammed Afzal and Gono Forum leader Mostafa Mohshim Montu and local AL leader Tipu Munshi also addressed the meeting presided over by AL district unit president Sha Abdur Razzak.
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