Families of fishermen face starvation

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 5: Several families of fishermen in Malda's Manikchak block are allegedly facing starvation owing to a sudden scarcity of fishes in the Ganges, a senior officer said. "Poorest of the poor families living in the char lands on the western side of the Ganges depend on fishing. However, they are getting required fishes to earn livelihood", said Mr Sandeep Nag, the block development officer of Manikchak. "I don't know the exact cause of the scarcity of fishes but it may be due to excessive pollution in the Ganges", Mr Nag, said. A 45-year-old woman from a fisherman's family recently died after a prolonged illness at Narayanpur village. Due to lack of money, she could not get the treatment. Narayanpur village is a remotest island on the western side of the Ganges in Manikchak block, officials said. Another old man of the same village is facing death. The BDO, however, denied that the woman starved to death.He claimed that food and relief materials were sent to the villages last week. Many families live in the char lands of the Ganges on the western side of the Ganges in Kaliachak II block. They are also facing problems.