The Hindu : Kerala News : Long-term rehabilitation of fishermen mooted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Long-term rehabilitation of fishermen mooted

By Our Kochi Bureau

KOCHI, DEC. 28. Support in excess and demand for long-term rehabilitation — these are the contrasting visuals from the relief camps opened for the victims in the district.

Though medicines are sufficiently available at the Ernakulam camp, it is not the case with some other camps such as the one at Konthuruthy, said C. Thulasi, a doctor from Government service who served at both the camps.

The camp for the victims from Puthuvypeen Island and Thanthonithuruthu, at Ernakulam Girls' High School that houses 1,800 persons, is flooded with volunteers, foodstuff and other essential goods, including medicines, mattresses, provisions and vegetables.

The camps in the mainland — the main one at Girls High School and temporary one at SRV High School — were virtually flooded with the exodus of panic-stricken islanders following the late-night alert of another tsunami strike. However, almost all the crowd returned during the early hours of the day, once the confirmation of safety reached.

Several voluntary organisations, associations of traders, professionals and social organisations have deputed their men and activated machinery to provide relief to the hapless victims.

"We have raised the point of long-term rehabilitation in the discussion with the District Collector, as most of these people do not have a home to go back to.

The buildings are either completely or partially damaged," said C.M. Devassy, president, Vypeen Block Panchayat.

Even while support is pouring in, many volunteers complained that the support of the authorities was not very forthcoming.

Authorities flayed

It was after repeated demands that the authorities arranged LPG cylinders for cooking food at the camp, said C.K. Manisankar, former Town Planning Standing Committee and chairman of the Kochi Corporation.

Now that the camps have enough supply of food, what people need are utensils, Mr. Manisankar said.

The CPI (ML) Red Flag district committee has criticised the district administration for not quantifying the damage along the coastal belt and bringing timely rescue and rehabilitation measures.

Even though the police have intensified patrolling along the coastal belt, the locals complain of increased instances of burglary from houses. Most of these complaints are exaggerated, said Bijo Alexander, Circle Inspector, Njarakkal.

The male members of families along the coast stay back near their homes.

And they do not get food, which is supplied only at the relief camps.

As one of the local men puts it, most of the people coming to alert of high tides or to take people to relief camps are known criminals and hence, these families refuse to leave the locality.

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