Thiruvananthapuram: The district administration on Sunday began efforts to work out a rehabilitation programme for the families rendered homeless by the devastating fire that engulfed a fishermen's colony at Anchuthengu in Chirayinkeezh taluk on Saturday.

Collector N. Ayyappan visited the site along with Revenue officials to take stock of the situation and initiate relief measures. As many as 55 houses were completely destroyed in the inferno and 13 damaged. Mr. Ayyappan said 266 persons were shifted to two relief camps. While women and children were accommodated at the panchayat office, the men were put up at the lower primary school nearby.

The initial assistance of Rs.500 from the Collector's relief fund and a matching amount announced by the Fishermen's Welfare Fund Board were disbursed to the stricken families on Sunday. Arrangements were in place to provide food and medical assistance for the persons housed in the relief camps. A medical camp was also organised. The Collector directed Public Works Department officials to start work on the construction of a temporary shed in the school ground.

Chirayinkeezh tahsildar Jayaprakash said the extent of the damage wrought by the fire was being assessed. "Each of the families is estimated to have suffered a loss of Rs.1.5 lakhs," he said.

Mr. Ayyappan said the district administration was working on a proposal for a permanent relocation of the affected families.

"We have identified land to provide houses for the 25 families in the colony who possess title deeds to their property. Negotiations are on to purchase the land. A separate package will be worked out for the 30 families who do not possess title deeds. They will also be given land, housing and compensation for the damage sustained in the fire. The proposal will be submitted to the Government shortly for Cabinet approval," he said.

The district committee of the Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation on Sunday called upon on the Government to release an emergency assistance of Rs.10,000 for the stricken families from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. A pressnote quoting federation leaders T. Peter, Valerian Isaac and district secretary Anto Elias called for adequate funds to compensate the loss of fishing equipment. It also demanded steps to rehabilitate the homeless families.

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