Tears rolled down the cheeks of Honali Gohain Haloi, daughter of a couple who took part in the Assam Agitation, as she narrated the miseries her family has to go through.
The 38-year-old indigenous Assamese is a resident of Selengguri gaon under Koomsong gaon panchayat under Kakopathar block in Tinsukia district.
She has been staying in a cottage with her three children, Kajol, Divyajyoti and Tanushree, for the last 10 years. It is located just alongside National Highway 52 opposite Kakopathar block development office.
Honali said: “I do not have any ration card or bank account. I did not get any food relief from the government authorities, nor did any financial help as they seek documents. I have only a voter identity card and a PAN card. We have been going without food for the last three days. A kind-hearted neighbour handed over this morning small amount of rice and pulses which we cooked this afternoon and ate. There are worries for the days ahead. God knows how long the lockdown will continue.”
Her husband Jun Haloi works in a shop in Tinsukia town and is at the owner’s house. He met with an accident in which he suffered severe injuries on his feet and hands. “He spends his earnings on medicines,” she said.
Honali is from Dirak Chariali Korkani Gaon (1 Harumesai under Dirak panchayat). “My father Umesh Chandra Gohain and mother Damyanti took part in the Assam Agitation. Our house was set on fire and my father was brutally assaulted and he succumbed to his injuries,” she said.
After her marriage to Jun who hails from Nalbari, they started to live at a rented house at Kakopathar for their children’s education but they later shifted to the PWD land due to penury. There are several other indigenous Assamese family residing in the vicinity and deprived of house, food, clothes and education. Most of them have taken shelter there after being hit by floods and erosions in their villages at Dirak.
“Kajol’s educational expenses are borne by her maternal uncle. She lives and studies in an ITI institute in Nalbari. Divyajyoti is a school dropout because I was unable afford his educational expenses. Tanushree, the youngest, studies in Class VII at Kakopathar Jatiya Vidyalaya. I find it difficult to continue her education.” she said.
Honali used to bring vegetables from the rural belts of the district and neighbouring Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, but the 21-day lockdown in Assam and across the country has paralysed her business. “It is a matter of concern that an indigenous Assamese family is living in such a pitiable condition. The government should assist them and other such families,” a local resident, said .
All efforts to contact Tinsukia deputy commissioner Bhaskar Pegu went in vain.
On Saturday evening, Honali said several people, including Kakopathar block development officials, and NGOs had come forward to offer her foodgrains.