Taplejung fire victims yet to get relief materials

TAPLEJUNG, March 27: Taplejung fire victims are yet to get relief materials although three days have passed since a massive fire broke out at district headquarters Fungling.

As many as 37 houses were destroyed while details of the loss incurred are yet to be calculated by the administration.

Locals complained that DAO had failed to collect details of financial loss and its impact on the victims. The distribution of relief materials has been affected due to lack of concrete data on victims, said sources.

District Disaster Rescue Committee under the coordination of the CDO, collected data of 118 families from 37 houses, while locals said162 families of 37 houses were affected.

DAO has estimated that the property worth Rs 44 crore was gutted. The relief materials, have been stored in Taplejung Chamber of Commerce and Industry office.

A team led by Panchthar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Prakash Gurung reached the affected area with relief materials. “CDO Dambaru Ballav Niroula not only stopped us from distributing relief materials but also misbehaved with the team,” he said.

Panchthar Youth Association handed over relief materials worth Rs three lakh to District Disaster Relief Committee, Taplejung, at a programme. The team distributed one package including rice, pulses, salt, sugar, soap and cooking oil, among others, to each family.

During the programme, Gold Jewellery Entrepreneurs’ Association Chairman Bimal Dhamala handed over Rs 7,000 on behalf of the association as relief package. Similarly, Ilam Cloth Bank has provided 100 blankets to the victims.