Although everyone is enjoying Eid, the Manta community (floating fishermen) of Lakshmipur do not remember any happiness. They could not fish for 1 month and 10 days. Many people do not even have enough rice to eat a full stomach.
When asked to some of the Manta community living in Rahmatkhali Canal in Majuchaudhurirhat area of Charramani Mohan Union of Sadar Upazila, they could not say anything but regret. Here the community has 120 families. Whose number of members is about 500.
If you go to Hat Sluich Gate area of Majuchaudhuri, you will see small dinghy boats floating in the river. But it’s not just boats, it’s home to floating fishermen. Again the only means of earning. They go fishing in the river with this boat. However, a few families are living in tin shed houses in the Rahmatkhali coastal area.
People of Manta community said that their only source of income is fishing in Meghna river. And they make a living by selling that fish. The youngest child of the family is also engaged in this profession. There is no light of education among them. And they do not know any other action.
But in order to preserve Jatka, all types of fishing are prohibited in Meghna of Laxmipur for two months of March-April. This has stopped the income of Manatas. They are spending their days with much difficulty.
Meanwhile, during the ban on the river, the entire country is celebrating Eid on Thursday. But due to lack of income, the people of Manta community do not have that happiness. Because there is not enough food in the house. Having to run the family with loans. And new clothes are nothing but a dream for them.
Old Marjahan Begum (60) said, there are 9 members in her family including four sons. Everyone’s food is provided by catching fish. He has taken loans from 5 NGOs. Fishing is stopped, so income is also stopped. But the loan installments are not stopped. Even if it is late to pay installments, you have to listen. That’s why he is running the family in installments with ‘dadan’ (advance money) from the moneylender. Eid is now just a word for them. They have no worries about Eid. If they can catch fish, they rejoice in the joy of Eid.
Floating fishermen Yusuf, Rakib Hossain and Safiq Majhi said that fishing has been stopped for two months. This time is very difficult for everyone. Income is closed. After birth, as soon as you grow up, you have to start fishing with your family. Apart from this, they do not know any other work. The family runs on loans during river expeditions. If you don’t go to the Ganges (river), you don’t get food.
Manta community team leader Sohrab Majhi said, Manta community has more than 500 members in 120 families. Among them more than one hundred and fifty children. Every household has the same income status. Fishing in Meghna river stopped for two months. The income of the people here is also stopped. It is difficult to run the family by borrowing. So most families have no joy in Eid. New clothes are not enough for small children.
He said, only 40 of our fishermen got 80 kg of rice during the ban. 10 fishermen received 10 kg rice card from Union Parishad. The rest received no assistance. In addition, rice is accompanied by many daily necessities. Therefore, the floating fishermen who are in financial crisis are going into debt to support their families. There is no monitoring of floating fishermen.
FA/ASM
#Rice #dont #worry #Eid