Staff Reporter The demand of the enclave residents is long-standing. They have been living as expatriates in their own country for a long time. The government is changing time and again, but the demands of the slum dwellers are being ignored. The mass hunger strike of the residents of 111 enclaves in Panchagarh's Putimari enclave has started since March 18, demanding citizenship. Meanwhile, prayers and pujas were organized in mosques and temples of various enclaves including Panchagarh to wish the well-being of the enclaves.
Local journalists reported that on the sixth day (March 23) of the mass hunger strike, the physical condition of 3 more people deteriorated. A total of 16 residents of the enclave are seriously ill and are receiving treatment at Boda and Panchagarh hospitals. On the other hand, despite the passage of 6 long days, no sympathy has been shown by the administration or any Indian side towards the program of the enclave residents, which has caused intense anger and adverse reaction among the local residents including the leaders of all levels of political and social organizations.
Panchagarh Mayor Md Tauhidul Islam urged the Bangladesh government and the Indian authorities to accept the demands of the enclave residents with the implementation of the protocol agreement as soon as possible. Experienced circles have expressed hope that this long-standing problem will be solved by the efforts of the two countries.
It is to be noted that in the light of the Indira-Mujib Agreement of 1974, this hunger strike program was started with the slogan "Citizenship or death" with various demands including immediate exchange of enclaves, ensuring food, clothing, housing, health and education of the enclave people.
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