Flood victims threaten to launch protest drive
September 09, 2010
PESHAWAR: The movement for reconstruction of infrastructure and rehabilitation of flood victims of Nowshera district on Wednesday threatened to launch protest movement if their grievances were not addressed within 15 days.
Addressing a press conference here, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, chairman of the movement, said the recent floods wreaked havoc in Nowshera where millions of people lost their homes and livestock.
He rejected the compensation amount of Rs20,000 per family by the government for the flood victims, saying it was a joke with the victims. “Thousands of homes have been washed away and the government announced just Rs20,000 per house, which we will never accept,” he added.
Flanked by other office-bearers of the movement, Ikhtiar Wali said the federal and provincial governments failed to provide assistance to the victims. He said the rulers were arranging Iftar parties to gain popularity and were least interested in addressing the miseries of the inmates of the relief camp inmates.
“A few days ago we presented our demands to the government but no action was taken on our plea and it has created further resentment among the affected,” he added. He asked the government to announce compensation worth Rs0.5 million per family, two-year incentive package for students of private and government schools, immediate assessment of the losses of dairy farmers, traders, farmers and provision of interest-free loans to them. The government should also declare Nowshera a calamity-hit district and waive off all the utility bills, he concluded.
Addressing a press conference here, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, chairman of the movement, said the recent floods wreaked havoc in Nowshera where millions of people lost their homes and livestock.
He rejected the compensation amount of Rs20,000 per family by the government for the flood victims, saying it was a joke with the victims. “Thousands of homes have been washed away and the government announced just Rs20,000 per house, which we will never accept,” he added.
Flanked by other office-bearers of the movement, Ikhtiar Wali said the federal and provincial governments failed to provide assistance to the victims. He said the rulers were arranging Iftar parties to gain popularity and were least interested in addressing the miseries of the inmates of the relief camp inmates.
“A few days ago we presented our demands to the government but no action was taken on our plea and it has created further resentment among the affected,” he added. He asked the government to announce compensation worth Rs0.5 million per family, two-year incentive package for students of private and government schools, immediate assessment of the losses of dairy farmers, traders, farmers and provision of interest-free loans to them. The government should also declare Nowshera a calamity-hit district and waive off all the utility bills, he concluded.
