Some wait for masons, others don’t know what to cook
Times of India | 22 April 2025
Dhuliyan: Displaced by violence two weeks back, many in Murshidabad are now returning to their villages. But with their houses destroyed, burnt to ground, many of them are staying at neighbours' house. Some, on the other hand, have started rebuilding their homes.
Dighri village's Sangita Pal recollected the horrific night of violence. "They barged into the house and set it on fire. They stole our gas cylinder, broke the over... we can't even cook a meal now. They poured kerosene over the rice kept in the kitchen," she said, adding: "Cops said our houses would be rebuilt. Who knows when that will happen?"
Bethbona's Geeta Mondal has started looking for masons to rebuild her house with the cash aid she received. "The miscreants even broke the boat that earned our livelihood," said Geeta. She is staying with her family in a govt employee's house. Another family has also taken shelter there.
"How long could we stay at Malda? Baishnabnagar authorities insisted that the school be vacated. Public representatives from Shamsherganj assured us that all arrangements would be made," said Geeta's neighbour Prashanta. He is afraid of the future. "Govt will give us Rs 10,000. But where will we go after that? We have no income... they looted everything," he said.
Fear continues to rob Durga Das of her sleep. "We keep worrying that they (miscreants) might come back. MPs and MLAs have given their word and even provided their phone numbers. But most of the houses don't have electricity, making it difficult to even charge our phones," she said.