BHAITBARI (Meghalaya), AUG 1: People in plain belt area of Meghalaya’s West Garo hills affected by flood are angry lots, as relief distribution begun late. Most residents sheltered in relief camp say that flood is an annual problem but the government has not been able to come out with any solution to fix the problems.
For the past 13 days, the plain belt area of Garo hills has been reeling under flood with not much aid coming in from the government. On Sunday, the stalemate between the suppliers and administration ended and relief distribution began.
The flood-affected victims are not much happy as they complain of their woes in the relief camp. Many sheltered in relief camp say that their houses have been washed away and they have nowhere to go.
A section of people feel that distribution of relief has been politically motivated. Many stated that local legislators have been ensuring that relief is properly given to their supporters.
“There is nothing here at the relief camp. We are not getting anything. Yesterday, we have received relief material but it is not enough. We are poor and have no option”, said Santi Ravi Das, who is sheltered in a relief camp at old Bhaitbari.
Like Santi there are many villagers, have vent their anger against the late distribution of relief. Jorina Bibi of Pheskandi village said, “My house is completely washed off, we having been staying on a makeshift house in the PWD road. Government should help us, so that we can begin new life”.
Blaming the government for turning a deaf ear to the woes of the people in plain belt area of Garo hills, village headman of Noyagaon said, “Government has taken action very lately. All connecting roads to the village are submerged under water. People are residing in the relief camp and in roads. There was cyclone yesterday but there is nobody to hear our problems”.
Activist Mostafa Kabir, who has been touring the flood hit areas raised his concern on behalf of the people saying that an embankment and a ring road, which is a long pending demand of the people should be fulfilled.
Kabir said that former speaker Purno Sangma had remarked that an embankment road from Singimari to Phulbari, would ease the problem of flood.
Flood in plain belt area of Garo hills turns ugly due to the backflow of water from Brahmaputra River, which passes through Phulbari town in West Garo Hills.
“We urge Tura MP Conrad K. Sangma and the state government to pursue construction of embankment in the plain belt, so that the flood problem will be eased”, Kabir added.
People in this area feel the government of step motherly treatment towards them. “There is no boat to cross the village. We don’t have proper drinking water. Nothing has come to us. We have been deprived of our rights”, said Rejaul Karim of Pheskandi village.-From Our Correspondent
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