Ex-enclave residents still wait for key infrastructure, services
When 59 former enclaves finally became a fully-fledged part of Lalmonirhat district in northern Bangladesh on 31 July 2015, it seemed the decades of difficulty and disadvantage that had characterised life in an enclave were at an end. But for many former-enclave residents jubilation has turned to frustration. While some progress has been made in developing the former enclaves, key infrastructure is yet to be realised.
“Our children have to go to other places to study,” says former enclave resident Yasin Ali, 48. “There is no school here.”
“For healthcare we have to travel,” says Rehana Begum, 42, of Banshkata former enclave in Patgram upazila. “No healthcare centre has been constructed.”
Residents complain too that the poor condition of connecting roads has seen no improvement, making them feel as restricted as they were before the historic land exchange agreement was implemented.
“The government announced that all necessary development works, especially improved roads, would be completed this fiscal year,” says former enclave resident Saidul Islam, 45. “Unfortunately the development work is yet to start, for reasons unknown.”
“Last year we got our independence after 68 years of confined, enclave living” says Mahsin Ali, 56, also from Banshkata. “We were so happy to become Bangladeshi citizens but still now we live without government facilities.”
Hamidul Islam, 62, of Gotamari former enclave in Hatibandha upazila notes that some facilities including electricity connection and other benefits provided by government, NGOs and banks are now available in the former enclaves. “But developing road communication is essential,” he says.
Abu Kalam, 55, resident of Bhitarkuti former enclave in Kulaghat union similarly mentions electricity as one of the achievements since the land exchange. “We also have sanitary latrines and tube-wells being provided free-of-cost.” Nonetheless, former enclave residents wait with bated breath for new schools, healthcare centres and better roads.
According to Lalmonirhat's deputy commissioner Habibur Rahman, development projects will commence in the former enclaves soon. “The government has already sanctioned funding for these projects,” he says. “Various departments will construct the new infrastructure required according to development plans in due course.” The district administration is monitoring the progress of development projects earmarked for the former enclaves, he added.
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