People blocked the Thakurgaon-Pirganj Highway in Thakurgaon district on Monday demanding relief materials amid the ongoing general holidays to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country. Residents of Thakurgaon Municipality ward no-9 blocked the road at from 5pm for about an hour halting movement of vehicles.
Protesters said several hundreds of families in the upazila have been unable to earn a living since 20/25 days because of holidays. They said hunger forced them to come out on the road. Though the government assured to distribute adequate relief to them, but they have not received any relief assistance till date. "We don't have anything to eat and we didn't receive any food aid from anywhere," one of them said.
The protesters withdrew the blockade after Additional Deputy Commisioner Nur Kutubuddin went to the spot and assured them of providing relief shortly. He said that the district administration has continued to distribute relief materials to all poor farmers, day labourers and unemployed people as per the instructions of the government.
Distribution activities are being conducted with the help of local people's representative and other dignitaries of the society. The district administration has been working to ensure that all the poor people receive relief in time.
Apart from this, a hot line has been launched for people who are embarrassed to take relief materials in public. After they call at that number, relief is being provided in secret. A huge number of people under the poverty line have been hit the hardest during the government announced general holidays.
