Chandbali: Various parts of Chandbali block in Bhadrak district have suffered extensive damage due to cyclonic storm Fani, but the government has not yet declared the area as cyclone affected. This has stoked anger among farmers and members of various outfits.
Several outfits have come out, pressing for declaration of the area as Fani-affected.
Leading the front, Chandbali Sangram Sena, submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor through the tehsildar. The outfit warned that it would resort to agitation if immediate steps are not taken by the government.
In the memorandum, the outfit’s activists pointed out that the cyclonic storm wreaked havoc when wind speed was nearly 160 km per hour. Scores of houses and cattle sheds were damaged while boats of fishermen and fishing nets were washed away.
Utility poles and trees in several pockets were flattened. Paddy and vegetable cultivations were severely affected in some panchayats.
The administration had shifted over 15,000 people to safe places and served them food.
Convenor of the outfit, Prafulla Sahu, said the government has declared Rajkanika block in Kendrapara district as cyclone affected, but has spared Chandbali.
Sahu has accused the district administration of being irresponsible in this matter.
Members of the outfit took out rally from Chandbali grounds to the tehsil office Tuesday.
PNN
