By IANS,
Kolkata : Over 600,000 flood victims were still awaiting to be rescued in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district, state’s Relief Minister Mortaja Hossain said Wednesday evening.
“Over 600,000 persons are yet to be rescued from Panskura, Bhagwanpur and Patashpur – the worst-hit areas of the district,” Hossain told reporters after an all-party meeting at the district magistrate’s office.
“The relief van that we sent to Bhagwanpur and Patashpur earlier was looted by starving flood victims on its way. Now we will be cautious so that a similar incident is not repeated and every one gets equal share of food and other relief.”
“Till now Rs.230 million has been spent as relief in East Midnapore. Fifty-seven medical camps have been set up in the district. We will soon start rebuilding the dams,” he added.
The meeting was attended by Civil Defence Minister Sreekumar Mukherjee and Technical Education Minister Chakradhar Maikap.
Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee visited the flooded areas of Panskura, namely, Nakra, Ratulia and Ghoshpur.
After surveying the situation, she accused the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) -led Left Front government for not taking prior precautions against flood.
Residents of Bajkul area of the district put up a road blockade Wednesday morning protesting against inadequate supply and unfair distribution of relief material.