While Hindu organisation came forward, Muslims groups are still busy conducting ‘surveys’.
By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: Fire in a big slum on April 6, near the Park Circus area in the West Bengal capital has rendered at least three hundred families homeless.
Most of the residents of the slums are from Sunderban areas of the state or from Bihar, almost all of them Muslims who work in the city as labour, rickshaw pullers or maid servants.
Children of slum-dwellers who lost even their books in fire.
As all the slums were built of polythene or tarpaulin, fire spread quickly. State Fire brigade department quickly deputed 23 fire engines, but could not save much of the belongings. Children lost their books as families lost all their savings.
After three days on Wednesday, TCN visited the slums and talked to local people and social workers. Children Nilufer, Rashidul, salim are now worried about their studies.
Social Organisation Bharat Sebashram Sangha, headed of Swami Sanghatmananda Maharaj supplying food to the victims of slum-dwellers.
These slum dwellers are now seeking help from benevolent people to restart their lives. As model code of conduct is in place, no political parties could come out to help. However, when TCN visited the place, it was a pleasant sight to see some Hindu organisations, like Bharat Sebasram Sangha, Rashbihari Branch of Kolkata extending their help to the victims. They had brought a van full of lunch at the time TCN reached.
Swami Sanghatmananda Maharaj told TCN that, they started their relief works from Sunday (7th April) morning itself. He said that most of the slum dwellers are very poor and hence they are in desperate need of help. He informed that every day, they are arranging for food of about 900 people twice – lunch and dinner. He informed that they have collaborated with the local Blue star club for distribution of foods among them.
One of the slum dwellers Gaffar told TC that, they have lost everything, even the books of his three children.
But quickly tried to rescue them by the leading of local Blue star club Secretary Sk Md Alam. Now they are getting food daily two times at noon and night regularly.
Photograph taken on April 9 of temporary huts coming up.
Secretary of the local Blue Star Club Sk Md Alam told TCN that, they are trying their best to help the poor people who lost everything by raising donations to help the victims rebuild their houses and are buying polythene, tarpaulin and bamboo pillars.
What was surprising that while Bharat Sebasram Sangha has extended full help, no big Muslim organisation was found working on the ground. Sk Md Alam said that the Blue Star Club is the only Muslim organisation who is working on the ground.
TCN contacted to the five organisations, including the State headquarter of Jamat-e-Islami Hind, Jamiat Ulama Hind for their response. The State President of JIH, Md Nuruddin told TCN over telephone on the night of 9th April that State unit of Jamat has made a survey among the fire effected people on 8th April and 9th April and have also supplied materials of daily use like crockeries, etc. He informed that soon they will send second batch of materials.
Member of the state Secretary of JUH, Maulana Abdus Salam told TCN at night on 9th April Kolkata wing of Jamiat has completed the survey of the local people and they will distribute necessary materials shortly.
State Minister of Fire and Emergency Services and Disaster Management Minister, Jawed Ahmed Khan said after seeking permission of the Election Commission, state Government will provide compensation to the fire to each effected families with at least each 70 thousand rupees.