Political leaders visit battered districts, demand immediate aid from Centre

BJP state president Tamilisai Soundarajan, during her visit to Pudukkottai, said, “The state government initiated several precautionary measures, still the cyclone caused unprecedented damage in several coastal districts turning life upside down.”

She expressed satisfaction that the government officials have been executing the relief works on war footing. “Soon, the Centre would depute a team to inspect the affected areas. Prior to that, the Centre will extend all support based on the report submitted by the state government. The Centre will also release adequate relief fund,” she assured.

Meanwhile, TNCC president S Thirunavukkarasu who visited Pudukkottai and Tiruchy, said that the police should not arrest people, who protest out of frustration. He insisted that, “the Chief Minister should have visited and consoled the people, who have lost almost everything. Centre should immediately allocate at least Rs 5,000 crore for relief works.”

The DMDK treasurer Premalatha Vijayakanth, after touring all the cyclone-hit districts, told reporters that fishermen and farmers were the worst-hit sections. She also added that, “Farmers who grew coconut trees for over 20 years had lost it within a few minutes. These farmers should be given adequate compensation.” She also suggested to get the fund for relief activities from the central government instantly and restore road connectivity and power supply.

The restoration works in Tiruvarur were moving at snail’s pace in Tiruvarur and ministers should expedite the efforts to revive normalcy now also, like they act during the bypolls.

CPI state Secretary Mutharasan after his visit to Mannargudi said, “People are suffering as there is no water. They are using water from the canals for drinking purposes, which might be hazardous. The state government should give priority to health issues and solve the drinking water problem in these places immediately.”