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Keshubhai Patel warns of epidemic

A spectre of epidemic looms large on quake-hit Gujarat as emotionally-charged people with undying hope are resisting the removal of decomposed bodies, Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel warned in Anjaar on Thursday, even as he apprehended a death toll of 35,000.

People in many places are resisting and preventing deployment of heavy machinery for removal of bodies as they still expect their near and dear ones to be alive, Patel said.

At some places people want to take out their belongings before allowing the removal of debris and thus unwittingly invite outbreak of epidemics, the chief minister said.

He said the state government has put into action a contingency plan under which disinfectants are sprayed over the debris and water is also chlorinated to prevent the outbreak of epidemics.

Patel said the state government was now concentrating on providing relief and rehabilitation to the affected people and was less focussed on rescue as there was no chance of rescuing more survivors.

The chief minister, who is touring the quake-hit Kutch areas along with Union Home Minister L K Advani, apprehended that about 35,000 people have lost their lives in January 26 quake which also caused damage to the property worth Rs 15,000 crore.

Patel said the state government's immediate priority was to provide relief to the people who survived the calamity and also announced that cash dole of Rs 10 per day given to each survivor for 15 days has been extended by another 15 days.

In Gandhidham and the contiguous Adipur, he oversaw the distribution of one lakh household kits and foodgrains, onions and potatoes.

All heavy machinery being used for the construction of the national highway nearby have been diverted and pressed into debris removal in twin cities of Gandhidham and Adipur, which complained of a late start of the rescue and relief operations.

Advani, expressing concern over the slow pace of relief in Gandhidham and Adipur, which have a combined population of 2.5 lakh, directed the state government to provide blankets and tents on a priority basis.

He also asked the chief minister to take adequate measures to prevent looting of valuables belonging to quake-hit people from under the debris.

PTI

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