BARCIK deeply mourns hearing the news of the death of Atul Chandra Barman in Netrakona and Shaha Alam Murol in Satkhira. These two persons had an intensive touch with BARCIK. Both of them were bright and brave in the area of their work and life. Their loss however, will never be fulfilled. Atul Chandra Barman was the founder of many fishermen right-based organizations and pioneer of fishermen right movement in Netrakuna. In the same time Shabuddin Murol was the founder of Bonjibi (Non-Timber forest products collectors) community organizations. Both of them worked to establish the rights of poor and underprivileged people throughout their life and made huge sacrifice to bring smile among the deprived people. BARCIK expresses condolence to the family members of Atul Chandra Barman and Shahabuddin Moral. May the Almighty God extend His blessing and peace to the departed souls of these two courageous and brave persons!

Atul Chandra Barman

Atul Chandra Barman was born in Swarmusia village under Atpara Upazilla of Netrokouna district. Mr. Atul throughout his life intensively worked to establish the right of the fisher folk community over rivers and wetlands. In order to make dynamic of fisher folk community he established JANAMA organization and it was through the organization that he played lead role to conduct and implement ranges of activities to establish right of fisher folk community, to protest against the illegal encroachment of water bodies and to raise the voice of the fisher folk community. Through his strong leadership JANAMA emerges as the most potential and successful organization in the area and the activities of JANAMA snatched the attention of all leading the members of the organization to gain success in inserting their rights over water bodies.

The success of JANAMA through the fascinating role of Mr. Atul encouraged the other fishermen in other areas leading Mr. Atul to facilitate in forming other 10 fisher folk community organization with the participation of 400 fishermen families in the district. Besides, the success of these organizations has enabled and encouraged in the emergence and establishment of other occupational organizations in the area. Thus Mr. Atul was a very popular person among the people of different occupations. They come to show their respect and to express condolence to the family members of Atul just after hearing his departure news. Mr. Atul has left two sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren.

Shaha Alam Murol

Shaha Alam Murol was born in Datinakhali village of Shymanage Upazilla under Satkhira district. He was a well-known figure among the Bonjibi community due to his contribution and sincere effort to establish the right of Non-timber forest products collectors. He himself was a bonjibi and collected resources from the Sunderbans in a sustainable way. However, Mr. Alam in close touch of BARCIK in 2007 making remarkable contribution and assistance to implement the activities that BARCIK designed for facilitating the non-timber forest resource collectors establishing their rights and improving their socio-economic status. It was his huge contribution that led the Bonjibi community to free themselves from the subtle torture and mental assault of the Mahajan. He played the lead role to empower the community and improve their economic status making sincere effort to ensure a friendly environment to market the collected products of the Bonojibis.

In addition, for broader circulation and increased sale of the product, along BARCIK, Mr. Alam took initiative to create publicize the products and through meetings, seminars and other forms of public communication, he tried to build a network with people of different stakes and occupations. Being armed with knowledge and experience to manage things, he assisted the community forming organizations and groups through which those communities become organized and got the courage to fight for their rights. Mr. Alam facilitated people and students in school and college regarding the sustainable resources collection from the forest and sustainable management of resources. It was through his intervention that the women got the platform to collect, prepare and market their goods independently leading the emergence of strong women organizations in the area. Mr. Alam was a good theatre actor as well. He staged and acted different drama to depict the life of the Bonjibi as well as to protect the environment. Mr. Shaha Alam Murol has left four daughters, son and wife.