Protest in front of police station in Chattogram for relief
Protesters demanding food aid and other assistance left after police assured them of sending it to their doorsteps
As many as 400 people staged a demonstration for relief in front of Bandar Police Station in Chattogram on Thursday around 12pm.
The protesters left around 2pm after police assured them of sending relief to their doorsteps.
"Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner inaugurated the relief distribution programme today morning. Hearing the news, people from the nearby slums started gathering in front of Bandar Police Station and started protesting," Officer-in-charge of the station Sukanta Chakraborty told The Business Standard.
"They left as we told them that we will send relief to their home."
"Chattogram Metropolitan Police is distributing relief with the donation of the rich people. And these reliefs are being sent to the doorsteps of the people."
Earlier on Wednesday, hundreds of people staged a demonstration for relief in Chattogram's GEC circle, claiming that they did not receive relief from any government or private organisation.
According to Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), as many as 30 lakh people in the port city, including 14.5 lakh slum dwellers, are eligible for receiving relief. However, the government is distributing relief to only 17,500 families.
"The amount of relief distributed in Chattogram is very low compared to the need. People are struggling. They need emergency help," the CAB vice-president SM Najer Hossain said.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Sajib Kumar Chakrabarti said that they will distribute relief among 17,000 families in the next ten days. "More relief will be distributed to the most vulnerable groups once the government allocates more."