Khanpur Char dwellers in Padma want to use Indian territory to come to Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Jan 6: Around 2,000 inhabitants of Khanpur Char in the Padma River are facing acute suffering of communications with Rajshahi.
On different purposes, they have to come to Rajshahi. But there is only one route for them.
Khanpur Char is adjacent to India. Some portions of it fall in India. And this portion has been the barrier to their easy communication with Rajshahi, locals said.
They have to round an extra path of about 13 kilometres (km), and they are to count extra fare other than facing disarray.
To get rid of sufferings, they want to be allowed to use the route in 400 metres belonging to India.
A visit found primary school in this island. But there is no government treatment facility and electricity even. Yet there is a solar system. For treatment and higher education,  students have to go to Rajshahi City.
The main profession of this island is agriculture, cow and buffalo farming. In fact, it is a detached island.
One Rajat Ali who has been living in this char since 1947 said, "There is no government physician in our locality. There are only some local quacks. On any emergency situation, we have to go to Rajshahi. Earlier, we could go to Rajshahi directly by river way. But now a char in the middle of the river has blocked this route. If the direct route is allowed, our communication suffering will be reduced."
"I  have 16 buffaloes. On an emergency need, I'll have to sell my buffalo in Rajshahi. Our life runs such way," he pointed out.
Old man Abul Sattar in the char said, "I was born in this char. I am still living here. On different purposes, we are to go to Rajshahi by boat. Before, it would take 40-45 minutes. But a char has emerged in the middle of that river path. So, going through this route is no longer possible. To go to Rajshahi, it requires extra miles to round, killing more than two hours."  
He said, "There is no good healthcare facility in our locality. So, we are to go to Rajshahi for treatment. Suffering goes mounting in taking carrying mother by boat. In many times, boat strikes in the char."
Another inhabitant of the char Raisuddin said, "We go to Rajshahi on different purposes. But we have to pass a 17 km river way. Yet there is another path of 4.5 km. But its 400m are within India's boundary. So, it is risky for us to use this path. If this path is officially allowed to use, it will be a great help for us."
Contacted, Sector Commander of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)-Rajshahi Colonel Tuhin Mohammed Masud said, they have taken many measures to address the communication problem with Rajshahi.
"The highest authorities of the government are informed about it. To solve it, we are contacting with them," he added.