Koshi victims have little to cheer about the marauding river’s reverting back to course. Though the Saptakoshi began to chart its original course yesterday, the flood victims are, understandably, unhappy about the apathetic attitude of the Maoist-led government.
“We are not enthused by the development. It won’t redress our grievances,” claimed Pancha Narayan Mandal, member, Koshi Flood Victims’ Struggle Committee. Neither does he want to give any credit to the Nepali and Indian technical teams that managed to pull back the river to its original course. “Usually, the water level is low at this time of the year. Besides, there wasn’t a huge area that needed to be covered,” he reasoned.
“At a conservative estimate, more than 50,000 people are still homeless,” he added.
Mustaq Ansari echoed Mandal. “Despite the government’s lofty promises, we have been deprived of relief for all these months. The makeshift tents that were put up more than five months ago are no longer fit for human habitation,” he alleged.
Victims are worried that they would be displaced again now that the traffic would start plying on the highway. The victims at Sripur have warned of putting up roadblocks on the highway to highlight their problems. The ad hoc struggle committee has come up with a 13-point charter of demands, which include adequate compensation, job opportunities and loan waivers.
Fanindra Pokhrel, acting Chief District Officer, Sunsari, chose to gloss over the “humanitarian crisis”. “Reconstruction work on the damaged highway will begin tomorrow. Traffic is likely to operate on this stretch in the next 10 days,” said Pokhrel.
However, the acting CDO held out a sliver of hope for the poor and homeless. “A programme will be launched soon for the voluntary return of the victims to their respective homes. The government plans to dole out Rs 50,000 as compensation to each family. But, no pressure will be exerted on those who don’t want to return. An alternative plan is being considered for them,” added the acting CDO.
“We are not enthused by the development. It won’t redress our grievances,” claimed Pancha Narayan Mandal, member, Koshi Flood Victims’ Struggle Committee. Neither does he want to give any credit to the Nepali and Indian technical teams that managed to pull back the river to its original course. “Usually, the water level is low at this time of the year. Besides, there wasn’t a huge area that needed to be covered,” he reasoned.
“At a conservative estimate, more than 50,000 people are still homeless,” he added.
Mustaq Ansari echoed Mandal. “Despite the government’s lofty promises, we have been deprived of relief for all these months. The makeshift tents that were put up more than five months ago are no longer fit for human habitation,” he alleged.
Victims are worried that they would be displaced again now that the traffic would start plying on the highway. The victims at Sripur have warned of putting up roadblocks on the highway to highlight their problems. The ad hoc struggle committee has come up with a 13-point charter of demands, which include adequate compensation, job opportunities and loan waivers.
Fanindra Pokhrel, acting Chief District Officer, Sunsari, chose to gloss over the “humanitarian crisis”. “Reconstruction work on the damaged highway will begin tomorrow. Traffic is likely to operate on this stretch in the next 10 days,” said Pokhrel.
However, the acting CDO held out a sliver of hope for the poor and homeless. “A programme will be launched soon for the voluntary return of the victims to their respective homes. The government plans to dole out Rs 50,000 as compensation to each family. But, no pressure will be exerted on those who don’t want to return. An alternative plan is being considered for them,” added the acting CDO.
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