Dibrugarh: The International Human Rights Organization (IHRO) has demanded that the Central government declare the floods and disaster in Arunachal Pradesh a national disaster and sanction a special package of Rs 5,000 crore for the flood-ravaged state.
Speaking to media persons, Advocate Kenbom Bagra, Zonal Director (NER) of the International Human Rights Organization, said, “We demand that the Centre immediately declare the floods and disaster in Arunachal Pradesh a national disaster and sanction a special package of Rs 5,000 crore for the flood-ravaged state.”
Bagra said the situation on the ground is alarming, as people are being deprived of their basic human rights, including food, shelter, clean drinking water, and healthcare facilities.
Given the gravity of the situation, many people in the state are comparing this year’s disaster to the 1950 earthquake, saying it has caused even greater damage.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), more than one lakh people continue to reel under the impact of the current wave of natural disasters, throwing normal life out of gear.
Even after the water levels of various rivers receded, thousands of people continue to suffer in the aftermath of flash floods triggered by at least three cloudbursts.
Some of the worst-affected districts are Keyi Panyor, Lower Siang, Leparada, East Siang, Upper Siang, Lower Dibang, Kurung Kumey, Pakke Kessang, Kamle, Siang, Kra Daadi, Tirap, Changlang, and East Kameng.
According to reports, 12 people have died so far, while 29 others have been injured.
Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Kiren Rijiju had already visited the state on the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This was followed by the visit of an eight-member high-level Inter-Ministerial Central Team to assess the damage on the ground in the state.