The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Government will help victims: Jayalalithaa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Government will help victims: Jayalalithaa

By Our Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE, DEC. 27. The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, has assured affected people that the Government will render all possible help to adequately compensate them. They need not worry about the losses, she said while addressing people in a relief camp here today.

After an aerial survey of affected areas in the district by helicopter, the Chief Minister landed in the evening at Anna Stadium. Later, she proceeded by road to the Subbarayalu Kalyana Mandapam, where 850 people have been given refuge.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said the massive tidal waves on Sunday had caused extensive damage in the coastal areas, and she had come to share their grief. Many of them had lost their kith and kin and she expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

A compensation of Rs. 1 lakh would be provided to each of those families from the Chief Minister's general relief fund. As most of them belonged to the fishermen community, they had lost fishing boats and other implements. They need not lose hope as the Government would stand by them as a friend and help restore their lives, Ms. Jayalalithaa said. Later, as a token gesture, she gave away the compensation to five persons.

In Nagapattinam district, Ms. Jayalalithaa, consoled families of fishermen who were killed by the tsunami and assured them assistance.

The Chief Minister who arrived by helicopter this evening visited a private marriage hall and a private higher secondary school in the town where hundreds of people had been provided shelter and later visited the government headquarters hospital and consoled the injured.

Ms. Jayalalithaa told the fishermen's families, "I know your problems and you have lost your houses and fishing boats in the tragedy. You need not worry. The Government will provide all assistance for bringing you back to normal activity soon."

The Chief Minister was in Nagapattinam for about 40 minutes and had talks with the Collector, M. Veera Shanmugha Moni, about relief work.

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