Speaker urges govt to deploy army in flood affected East Midnapore

Kolkata, Jul 6 (UNI) West Bengal Assembly Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim today urged the state government to deploy the army in flood-stricken areas of East Midnapore district for strengthening rescue and relief operations.

The Speaker made this observation in the Assembly while Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Manas Bhuniya drew his attention regarding the "pathetic" condition of marooned people in several places of East Midnapore because of 'inadequate' relief.

Mr Bhuniya informed the House that due to the incessant rains for the last four days in Kolkata and other parts of the state, a large number of people in Sabang, Sankrail, Pingla, Moina and Debra in East Midnapore was ravaged by flood which demanded military intervention.

''I request the state government through the Speaker of the House that army should be deployed in the flood-affected areas of East Midnapore considering the gravity of the situation,'' he said.

Mr Bhuniya said continuous rains affected six dams and a number of bridges was destroyed in several parts of East Midnapore district while relief had failed to reach the places.

The CLP leader informed that he had already intimated Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee about the grim flood-situation in East Midnapore.

UNI