BARKHAMA (Kandhamal): Victims families at relief camps are yet to be provided with basic amenities such as toilets even as the communal violence entered 10th day in Kandhamal district on Wednesday.

Schools which are situated on the outskirts of villages have been converted into relief camps. Most schools here do not have toilet facilities causing inconvenience to women staying in the camps.

At least two relief camps are being operated near Baliguda and one at Barakhama village. About 1300 victims of violence have been staying in the three camps.

"We have to negotiate with a lot of odds stacked against us. The atmosphere is already vitiated by violence. Even though makeshift toilets were put up a little distance away from camps, women don’t feel safe to step outside," Japani Digal, a victim, said. "Women are in panic. Their dignity is at stake," John Dayal, member of National Integration Council, said describing the unsuitable condition in which victims were staying.

Victims also complained of very thin blankets provided to them as winter was at its peak in the region.

Health condition of children and elderly people was deteriorating due to the severe cold. "We don’t know how long we have to live here. If houses under Indira Awas Yojna are not constructed as early possible, there is no meaning staying here for a longer period. This is the reason why people, who fled to their relatives’ houses at far off places, are not returning to their village," said Umesh Nayak, victim from Barakhama.

The State Government has already announced to provide IAY houses to those whose houses were fully damaged in the violence.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu