Flood-ravaged people in the district, who are till now passing their nights under the open sky, are facing ‘harassment’ from non-government organizations (NGOs) workers, reports UNB.

In recent flood, thousands of people of the areas adjacent to the Teesta and Dharla rivers have lost everything.

They have taken shelter in dam areas where they are passing life under open sky.

Some flood victims alleged that the workers of different NGOs with microfinance programs from which they took loans are harassing them to repay their loan installments, violating the prime minister’s order.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while visiting flood-affected areas on August, directed the NGOs engaged in providing microcredit not to harass flood victims

Akbar Ali, a flood victim who lost his house in the flood and took shelter at Sibekutir dam in Kulaghat area, said that he took shelter there for last 23 days. He took Tk 30,000 from an NGO called UDPS. After paying one instalment, he was affected by flood. Now, the NGO workers are coming to his shelter on regular basis and forcing his family members to repay loan.

Around 8/9 families who also have taken shelter in the dam, shared the same experienced of mhow the NGO workers are forcing them everyday for paying loan.

Besides, a group of five debt-collectors of ASA, another NGO, was seen collecting loans at Milon Bazar in Hatibandha and Kulaghat area of Sadar upazila. Sensing presence of journalists, they changed their voice that they did not come for collecting loans but rather visiting.

Mehenara, who took loan from ASA, said that her family has no house, no food after the floods. But the manager of ASA warned them that he will not go back without taking installment.

The flood-affected people of Singimari, Guddimari areas alleged that the workers of ASA warned them several times that there is “no relief from paying installments”.

On being asked why they are creating pressure on the affected people defying the PM’s order, Faruk Hossain, branch manager of Hatibandha Branch of ASA, said that they are performing their duty “following the order of higher authority”.

Aminul Islam, manager of district branch of ASA, said that divisional punishment system will be taken against the workers who are involved in collecting installments from the flood-affected people.

Md Shafiul Arif, deputy commissioner of the district said that he will talk to higher officials of ASA in this regard.