Muzaffarnagar: Safety, health a major concern for victims in camps

Muzaffarnagar, Dec 4: Its been more than three months since the Muzaffarnagar riots claimed more than 40 lives and displaced thousands and the people living in the relief camps feel anything but safe.

In order to avoid any instances of sexual harassment or assault in these relief camps, underage girls are being married and its not just one or two cases. In fact the numbers can be shocking; 700 weddings to be precise in just three months.

Reports suggest that many underage girls are being married because of two reasons. One, the wedding fetches them Rs 1 lakh as compensation and two they are protected from incidents of sexual harassment.

Underage girls married to claim compensation

Officials now say that the money was given from the CM's relief fund to support the girls who were married inside the camp. But ever since the news spread like wildfire, they they twice before handing out the compensation, sometimes even refusing to do so.

Biting cold claims lives

But the problems don't end here. According to some reports, at least eight lives have been lost in refugee camps in Shamli districts in the last month due to unhealthy living conditions and the falling temperature. Out of the eight dead, six were children.

The officials, who are managing the camps say that though there have been many deaths since the time people moved in here, they refuse to leave out of fear.

Victims, who refuse to leave fear for their lives. Now their only hopes is that they are provided with some warm clothing and blankets as the temperature continues to dip.

OneIndia News