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Behrampur observes Super Cyclone
anniversary as Black Day

Behrampur observed the Super Cyclone's first anniversary as a Black Day on Wednesday, in protest against the tardy progress of rehabilitation and reconstruction by the Orissa government.

People demonstrated, in protest against the government's indifferent attitude towards cyclone-affected people, under the leadership of Communist Party of India-Marxists leader of Behrampur.

On October 17 and 18 last year, over 200 persons were killed, besides a heavy loss to property in south Orissa's Ganjam district.

After 10 days, the cyclone hit coastal Orissa districts, and killed over 10,000 people and ravaged 14 districts.

Congress leader Dayanidhi Sahoo said that the state government, led by Naveen Patnaik, failed to complete rehabilitation and reconstruction work. "People's anger and protests are natural," he said.

"Even after a year, many victims are yet to receive compensation, housing loans and several damaged projects have not been repaired," alleged CPI-M leader Ali Kishor Patnaik.

According to official sources, 450 minor and irrigation projects, 194 lift irrigation projects and more than 550 buildings under the rural development department are yet to be repaired.

More than 1,700 fishermen's families are also awaiting government aid. The families of over two dozen victims have not received any compensation, sources said.

The CPI-M will organise a protest before the district collector on Thursday, in support of their demand to repair lift irrigation and minor irrigation projects.

Meanwhile, Behrampur heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday as the cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal did not hit southern Orissa.

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