SHAHEEN MOLLAH

Sitting under the Kalshi flyover with her grandchildren beside her, 55-year-old Anowara Begum stared at the charred remains of the slum she had called home for nearly two decades -- until Monday, when a massive fire swept through the Kalshi slum in Dhaka’s Pallabi area.

More than 250 homes and dozens of shops were gutted, leaving thousands homeless just days before Eid-ul-Azha on May 28.

For many residents, the blaze destroyed not only their homes and belongings but also years of struggle, savings, and dreams built through hard labour. While some took shelter at relatives’ homes, others had nowhere to go but under the flyover near the slum.

Anowara had lived in the slum with her three children and grandchildren. The 10-member family shared a single small home. Now, they are sheltering under the flyover.

Her husband, Nasir Uddin, came to Dhaka years ago from Kishoreganj’s Karimganj in search of work. Through years of hard work, they raised their children and arranged their marriages.

“The fear of eviction had already gripped the community in recent days. Many had been struggling to find alternative housing. We requested the authorities to let us stay until after Eid. We said we would leave three days later.”

SEE PAGE 2 COL 1