As the Dudhkumar River continues to erode its banks following an untimely rise in water levels, more than a hundred families in the Kharuarpar Sabujpara area of Ghogadaha Union, Kurigram Sadar Upazila, are living in dire conditions after losing their homes.

Locals have called for the formation of a separate Ministry of Char Affairs to address poverty, create jobs, and ensure overall development for people living in char (river island) areas who are affected by erosion.

The demand was raised during a human chain and rally organised by the Char Development Committee, Ghogadaha Union branch, on Sunday morning.

The event was presided over by the organisation’s President Abdul Jalil.

Speakers at the rally included District Char Development Committee President Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, General Secretary and journalist Ashraful Haque Rubel, Senior Vice President Principal Khwaja Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rintu, and several local leaders and residents.

Standing on the banks of the Dudhkumar River, Sharif said tearfully, “My house has been washed away by the river 18 times. It’s already afternoon, and I haven’t had a handful of rice to eat.”

Sabura Begum, who lives with her three daughters and works in other people’s homes, said, “I didn’t get any work today. I don’t know if we’ll have anything to eat tonight.”

Another resident Salema Begum said her husband is disabled and they live in a small tin house that could collapse into the river at any time.

Sahera Khatun shared that her home had been destroyed nine times. “My husband doesn’t even look at me anymore. I have nowhere left to go,” she said.

Many others, including Aminul Islam and Ayub Ali, said their homes have repeatedly been engulfed by the river, leaving them struggling even for a single meal.

Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, President of the Kurigram District Char Development Committee, said erosion from the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers continues to displace people in Kurigram.

Yet, the affected residents have not received rehabilitation support from the government, and even their total number remains unrecorded.

“In the past ten years, nearly one lakh people have been forced to relocate due to river erosion,” he said. “This is destroying social bonds and separating families.”

Kurigram district covers 2,229 square kilometres, of which around 850 square kilometres are char areas. About 550,000 people live there, most of them deprived of education, healthcare, and proper communication facilities.

Professor Bebu noted, “After the hill people’s movement in 1998, the government was compelled to form the Ministry of Hill Affairs. Similarly, a Ministry of Char Affairs must be established now to improve the living standards of char residents. Otherwise, Kurigram could face a famine like that of 1974 again.”