People facing starvation in East Kameng dist: Dolo

Itanagar, June 21 (UNI) Bamboo flowering followed by rat menace has destroyed standing crops and forced thousands of people to face starvation in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, according to opposition leader and BJP MLA Kameng Dolo.

Talking to newspersons at his official residence here this afternoon, the BJP legislature party leader said the people of Pipu, Bameng, Sawa, Dipu, Khenewa, Chayeng-Tajo and parts of Pappu Valley areas are facing acute shortage of foodgrains since September as the standing crops were destroyed by rats.

Describing the condition of the affected people, Mr Dolo, who has been elected from Chayang-Tajo Assembly constituency, said the people were even forced to sell their belongings and domestic animals for maintaining their family.

The opposition leader alleged that 80 per cent people of Pipu and its adjoining areas, which are most affected, were on the verge of starvation.

Criticising the state government's 'attitude' towards the people of the district, the BJP leader said no ration or other supplies have reached the affected people so far. The major portion of the road between Seppa to Chayang-Tajo, which was blocked due to heavy landslide last year, was yet to be fully restored for heavy traffic, he said. This might be the major cause for non-supplying of essential commodities to the affected areas, he added.

''It is the duty of the government to provide essential commodities to the affected people,'' he said. adding I ran from pillar to post for procurement of rationing items for the affected areas but, all are in vain.

He alleged that supplying and distribution system of rationing items, was diverted to other areas.

East Kameng is one of the backward districts of the state which also faces acute shortage of electricity and lack of developmental activities, he added.

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