Hill Literature Forum distributes relief to rodent-hit areas in Bandarban

chtnews.com
News No. 106/2008, June 15, 2008

The Hill Literature Forum and UPDF's Relief Collection Committee, Chittagong distributed relief among the rodent-hit Jum cultivators in Ruma of Bandarban district. (photo in pdf format)

The relief was distributed in two phases starting on 3 June at remote Passing Para village, situated near Keokradong, the highest mountain in the country. To this end, an eleven-member joint team of these two organisations trekked from Ruma Sadar to Passing Para village. A total of 352 families were listed as recipients of relief.

In order to distribute the relief in an orderly manner a 10-member committee was formed with Sen Pawng Murung, member of Remakree Prangsha Union Council, as its convenor. The other members included Khoichong Murung, Milton Marma, Lal Biat Bawm, Ishak Bawm, Mong Ting Oiyong Marma, Kya Ching Marma, Pruching Thoai Marma, Rengthi Murung and Thuikyo Ching Marma.

In addition, an advisory committee was formed to supervise the overall activities of the committee. The advisors were Gingsomliam Bawm, chairman of Remakree Prangsha Union No. 3 and Choton Kanti Tonchongya, a UPDF member, Chittagong Unit.

Mr. Sen Pawng Murung, member of Remakree Prangsha Union Council and convenor of Relief Distribution Management Committee, inaugurated the event while Choton Kanti Tongchongya gave a brief speech on the occasion.

Mr. Sen thanked the relief organisers for the help and urged the recipients to properly use the money.

Choton Kanti Tonchongya said the relief being distributed was like a drop in the ocean and regretted that UPDF could not do much to help the needy families.

Local Union Parishad chairman Gingsomliam Bawm could not attend the programme due to his preoccupation with Council activities, although it was he who had done most of the work to make the event a success.

Each of the affected families was given cash Taka 300 to buy roughly 10kgs of rice.

Over 250 families received the money on that day. The rest would collect the relief on a later date from Ruma bazaar.

The civil administration of Ruma, which was informed beforehand of the event, was very helpful and forthcoming.