Flood victims bemoan inadequate relief
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 12: Even as properties worth crores of rupees have been destroyed at Irong Chesaba on the way to Mayang Imphal from Thoubal due to a huge breach along Imphal river bank, there has been no relief assistance either from the State Government or the NGOs.

Even as water logging continues to be a concern, many come out to fish on the flooded parts

The over flowing water from Imphal river has submerged many dwelling houses and over flooded several hectares of paddy fields and a large number of fish farms located in Irong Chesaba.

After the Imphal river bank was breached over a length of 50 feet in the night of September 6 near Irong Chesaba Shallam, the people of Irong Chesaba, Maibam Konjil, Heibong Makhong, Khelakhong, Uchiwa Nastao, Thoudam, Leishangthem and Uchiwa Wangmataba are still reeling under the devastating effects of the flood without any relief assistance from any quarter.

Talking about the grim situation prevailing in the area, secretary of the Clubs' Co-ordinating Committee Md Mamtaj Ali informed that out of 800 houses inundated in Irong Chesaba, 30 houses along with their outhouses and cow pens were completely destroyed by the flood.

Moreover, a huge number of fishes reared in fish farms covering an area of about 200 hectares in aggregate have also been carried away by the flood water.

This is in addition to the large number of fishes reared in numerous household ponds of the area.

Even as there are reports of relief material being distributed in Imphal area, not a single official of the District Administration has ever visited the area though the area has been under deluge since September 6, Mamtaj lamented.

Except for the little quantity of food items distri- buted by MLA U Deben and some medicines provided by the Manipur Voluntary Health Association, no one has come to the area to help the flood victims till date.

But what is most woeful to the flood ravaged people is the disruption of transport and communication lines.

The Thoubal-Mayang Imphal road is most crucial for the people of Irong Chesaba.

The people are also very much concerned about the possible outbreak of diseases from the flood water.

The people are apprehensive of further misery in case there is more rain for the water level is still high at this stretch of Imphal river, upstream of which the Iril river, Kongba river and Thoubal river have joined it.

Nevertheless, the IFCD has been putting all efforts to mend the breached river bank.

Further in another similar case, while a large number of people have been ruined by the flood including 150 houses which were completely submerged in Uchiwa Nastao in Thoubal district, the suffering people have received only two bags of rice from the State Government so far.

Speaking to reporters today, general secretary of the Uchiwa Nastao Muslim Development Organisation Sh Firoz and assistant secretary Md Azizur said that Thoubal DC provided two bags of rice two days after the river embankment was breached.

However, as the quantity of rice is too meagre as compared to the number of people displaced people, the rice cannot be distributed yet.

They noted that the relief measures taken up by the State Government is far below the assistance provided by social organisations/NGOs.

Before nobody came to the aid of the flood affected people of Uchiwa Nastao, the Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) taking serious note of the urgent situation provided 7 bags of rice together with dal and common salt.

This was followed by another seven and half bags of rice, dal and candle from the side of HERICOUN.

The claim of the State Government that it has been providing relief materials to people affected by flood in different parts of the State has turned out to be a hollow propaganda, asserted KSA finance secretary Joshikanta Thangjam.

On inspection by representatives of civil organisations, a large majority of the flood affected people were found not receiving any assistance from the Government.

Subsequently, civil organisations have rushed in to these areas with relief materials, he said.

At such hours of natural calamity, the Government should not flee away from its responsibility.

It should provide adequate relief materials to all the people by flood, asserted the KSA executive.

Condemning the alleged irresponsible conduct of the State Government, Joshikanta informed that a free medical camp will be organised specifically for the flood affected people of Uchiwa on September 18 and 19.