Special drive for Tsunami-hit disabled tribals

Port Blair, July 10: The Andaman and Nicobar islands has recently launched a special drive to reach out to the disabled persons residing in remote areas of tsunami hit islands.

An expert team was recently sent to Nicobars groups of Islands, which is a tribal reserve area, to find out disabled persons.

''A team of specialists during its recent visit to Southern group has assessed 100 disabled persons in Kamorta Island and issued 71 Disability Certificates to eligible disabled persons,'' Commissioner-cum-Secretary of A&N Islands Rajendra Kumar said.

Mr Kumar told UNI that similar assessment camp was also held in Car Nicobar recently, in which 345 disabled persons were assessed, and 303 Disability Certificates were issued.

''The administration is making all out efforts to reach the disabled persons. One of the major problems faced by the disabled in Nicobar was regarding assessment and certification of disability,'' he said.

The remote Indian Islands were ravaged by tsunami waves on December 26 2004, killing more than 3800 people and leaving behind many others disabled.

UNI