The Hindu : Kerala News : Tension at relief camps

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Tension at relief camps

By Our Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA, JAN. 25. Tension prevailed at the relief camps at Valiyazheekkal in the district today following attempts by the authorities concerned to "forcibly evacuate the tsunami-affected residents of Arattupuzha panchayat."

According to those housed at Valiyazheekkal High School, the authorities tried to evacuate 332 of the 403 families staying there. The aim of the move was to shift 71 families to temporary shelters built near the school. They said 236 houses had been totally destroyed. Hence, it was discriminatory to allow only 71 families to stay at the temporary shelters being built now.

As part of the protest, refugees at the Valiyazheekkal school camp prevented the BDO, who is in charge of the camp, from stepping out of the camp since 8 p.m. yesterday.

Meanwhile, around 4,000 refugees put up at the Valiyazheekkal High School camp and the nearby Sree Vyasa Araya Samajam Building camp at Tharayilkkadavu did not have lunch today in protest against the moves to evacuate them.

The District Collector, K.R. Muraleedharan, when contacted said the Government would build homes for those whose houses had been completely destroyed. A list of beneficiaries had been prepared earlier and representatives of the tsunami-affected had approved it earlier, said the Collector.

The Collector said those whose houses had been partially damaged would be given aid to repair it. He added that the Government would try to build more houses in the area with the help of sponsors. He said some vested interest groups were trying to foment trouble there.

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