Processionists paraded different streets in the town and held a meeting on the Shahid Minar premises. Shahidul Islam chaired the meeting.

Speakers said 20,000 poor people of 18 big and small shoals were deprived of benefits of the project aimed at improving their lives. They threatened a greater agitation if their demand was not met within a short period.

The major activities of the DFID (UK)-funded project are income generating activities and vocational training, ensuring social security, development of road link for agriculture and marketing of agri-products, healthcare and supply of safe water.

The project areas included shoals of 149 unions in 28 upazilas of Bogra, Sirajganj, Gaibandha, Kurigram and Jamalpur districts where flood is a regular feature. But unfortunately, the project did not cover over 20,000 ultra- poor people of the Teesta shoals in Nilphamari where flood is a part of their life. Monga (a famine-like situation) is also common in the area.

This has created resentment among people in the district.

Of the 18 shoals, Char Kharibari, East Kharibari, Ekotar Char, Fakroter Char, Chhatenana, Vendabari, Baish Pukur and Jhar Sinhes of five unions in Dimla upazila are big shoals while Gopal Jhar, Char Vorot, Alsian Char are small in two unions of Jaldhaka upazila.

People living in the shoals are deprived of all facilities of modern living. Even the NGO activists do not go there thinking the people are so poor that they would not be able to repay loans if granted.

Death in diseases due to intake of unwholesome food is common. There is no facilities for supply of pure drinking water or sanitation. Those shoals are isolated from the main land as there is no means for communication except boats for communication during rainy season.

While talking to this correspondent, Krishok League district unit general secretary Khoka Ram Roy expressed his dismay at exclusion of the shoal people. 'It would be unwise if the government did not reconsider the issue,' he said.

Nilphamari district unit secretary of Jatiyatabadi Krishok Dal Farhanul Islam said the sufferings and deprivation of the people of the Teesta shoal is known to all in the area. He urged the government to include Nilphamari district in the project.

Nilphamari unit president of the Communist Party, Sridam Das alleged that non-inclusion of people of the Teesta shoal in the project proves indifference of the government towards poor people in the district.

Former Chairman of Khalisa Chapani union in Dimla Upazila, Moinul Islam said the ongoing agitation will be intensified in the coming days if Nilphamari is not included in the project.

On contact, Dimla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mezbahul Alam said that he would try to draw the attention of the concerned authority in this connection.