Deprived of Aid: Hundreds join demos in Khulna
Several hundred people, who said they have been deprived of any aid, staged demonstrations in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office and Khulna Press club yesterday.
Protesters said they have barely received any relief support from the government or any private organisations.
A number of them alleged discrimination in the relief distribution process too. They said ward-21 councillor of Khulna City Corporation did not provide relief packs to the needy but distributed them among his acquaintances.
"He distributed food and other commodities only to those he has connections with. This is blatant nepotism," said Shanta Begum, who came from Joragata area under ward no-21 to participate in the demonstration.
"We have been starving for over a month now. My six-member family has received only 4kg rice, half a kg oil, and 2kg potato in the last two months," the protester added.
Solaiman, another protester from the ward, said, "We wanted to meet the DC but he's not in office."
Contacted, ward-21 councillor Md Samsuzzaman Mia Shapon denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, several hundred transport workers blockaded Khulna-Dhaka highway at Phultala bus terminal around 10am. They alleged that some 400 transport workers are yet to get any relief from the government.
They freed the road after Parvin Sultana, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Phultala, agreed to arrange relief for the workers.
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