Helpless widow Heranti Koch living inhuman life

Heranti Koch, a helpless widow of Koch ethnic minority group, has not been able to get a government house even after 13 years since her husband died.

She has not been able to find one even after going door to door of local leaders and public representatives. She is now living an inhuman life in a broken house with her son.

Heranti Koch was the wife of the deceased Ashwini Koch, a daily wage labourer from Paschim Bakakura village in Kangsha union of Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur at the foot of the Garo hills. He had been supporting his family of three, including his wife and son, working as a day labourer. He died of cancer in 2011. Spending all her resources on the treatment of his husband Ashwini Koch, Heranti Koch was forced to borrow a huge amount of money. Due to lack of money, she cannot even repair the dilapidated house she lives in.

Since her husband died, Heranti Koch has been surviving as a day labourer. She said that if she does not go to work for a day, she goes hungry and half-eaten. The house has also become uninhabitable. She has to sit all night if it rains even slightly.

She said that she has applied to the local public representatives many times to get a government house. She has also received assurances at various times. But she has not been lucky enough to get it.

Heranti Koch complains that it costs Tk 25,000-30,000 to get a house. She is not getting a house because she cannot pay the money.

Mentionable, every year, houses are allotted for the rehabilitation of families of homeless of small ethnic groups. Locals complain that even the wealthy have received government houses in exchange for money.

Navesh Khakshi, chairman of the Jhenaigati upazila unit of the Tribal Welfare Association, a large organisation of small ethnic groups, said, "There is no opportunity for Heranti Koch this time. We will see what can be done when the allocation is received later."