Date:03/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/03/stories/2008090352361400.htm

National

Citizens seek long-term relief measures

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Centre for Environment and Food Security and number of eminent academicians, journalists and citizens have demanded that the entire relief and rescue operations in flood-hit areas of Bihar must be handed over to the Army under a single operational command at an appropriate level.

In a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it said, that at least one division of Army and one squadron of Air Force must be immediately deployed in the worst-hit districts of Supaul, Saharsa, Araria, Madhepura, Katihar and Purnia.

They pointed out that prevention of outbreak of epidemics was most crucial and suggested involvement of international aid agencies like WHO, UNICEF and Red Cross in the relief operations.

“Since a large number of people have lost everything and have nothing to fall back upon, we need long term relief camps and allied infrastructure,” they said.

The signatories included Kuldip Nayar, Prof. Rajni Kothari, Justice Rajinder Sachhar, Prabhash Joshi, Harsh Mander, Prof. Arun Kumar, Prof. Ashis Nandy and Aruna Roy.