Locals block Kurigram highway for food aid

Poor people blocked the Kurigram-RangpurHighway at Kathalbari Union for about four hours on Saturday morning, demanding government food aid.

Locals said many day labourers in the area lost their jobs due to the ongoing shutdown over coronavirus and the government aid that reached there was insignificant to meet the demand. 

As a result, about 400 men and women from several villages of the union, including Madrasapara, Kholarpar, Nefardarga and Shivram, blocked the highway demanding food aid.

The blockaders claimed that photocopies of their national ID cards had been taken more than once, but no relief was provided.

"Government food aid has been provided following the listing in the union so there was no reason for road blockade. One of the parties is behind it," said Redwanul Islam Dulal, chairman of Kathalbari Union Parishad.

"The Sadar UNO in-charge came to the spot around 12pm and his car was attacked in a planned way," he added.

"There are 6,546 families in that union. So far, food aid has reached 1,361 families through the union parishads concerned. Also, 400 packets containing various food items have been distributed," said Sadar UNO (acting) Moinul Islam in response to a question.

"The list has been asked to be prepared for further food aid but it is not clear why they blocked the road," he added.

Officer-in-charge (OC) of Kurigram Sadar Police Station Mahfuzur Rahman said, "The road blockade was lifted around 1pm and legal action will be taken for the attack on UNO's car."