They return, happy with Bangladeshi generosity

Around 4,000 flood-affected people from India, who took shelter in villages along the Lalmonirhat border on Sunday night, went back to India yesterday morning. They were provided food and lodging by Bangladeshis from Sunday night till yesterday morning. The Indians expressed their satisfaction and gratitude to the Bangladesh people for the cordial support, locals said.

Abu Sufian, 48, of Chawratari village in Mogholhat union, said, “They didn't go to their houses as those were inundated by flood water. They told me that they would be given government relief materials so they went to the mainland.”

Suzal Haque, 46, of the village said, “We helped them on humanitarian grounds,” he said, adding that the Indians were happy with the behavior of the Bangladeshis.

Ayesha Begum, 35, wife of Alamgir Hossain of India's Daribas village said, “We were happy and satisfied getting shelter and food from Bangladesh nationals. We got cordial behaviour from Bangladesh nationals.”

“We will never forget Bangladesh people's love. If Bangladeshis had not helped us, we would not be able to save ourselves,” said Ayesha's husband.

Residents of Chawratari and Karnapur villages of Mogholhat union said four villages -- Jari Dharla, Badarkuti, Nagortari and Daribas -- of Dinhata Police Station under Cooch Behar in West Bengal, India, stood like islands in the rivers Dharla, Singimari and Giridhari as water level of the rivers increased sharply.

Marooned by flood water, many took refuge in the houses of villagers of neighbouring Bangladesh, which prompted the West Bengal government to express their gratitude to the Bangladesh government.

Rabindra Nath Ghosh, a minister in the government of West Bengal, told newsmen that if these 4,000 people did not take shelter in Bangladesh, they would have been washed away by flood water.

Habibur Rahman Habib, chairman of Mogholhat Union Parishad, said he visited the border villages where Indian flood affected people took shelter. “I told our people to take care of the Indian flood affected people, and they did it very well,” he said.

Nayek Subedar Badsha Miah, camp commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)15-Battalion, said the flood affected Indian people who took shelter in  the border villages went back home yesterday. Bangladesh nationals gave them shelter on humanitarian grounds, he said, adding that BGB men monitored them while they were in Bangladesh.