GUWAHATI, Jan 10 � Expressing concern over the prevailing situation in the rehabilitation camps in the violence-hit areas in Chirang and Kokrajhar and lack of efforts to build mutual trust among the affected communities, social activist Dibyajyoti Saikia said that secure environment to the violence-hit people and infrastructure development must top the relief agenda.
Visiting the affected areas during the first week of the year, a team of social organization �Brothers� held peace meetings in nearly 40 villages and rehabilitation camps belonging to Bodo and Adivasi communities to allay fears and rumours.
�We have noticed that despite repeated spurts of violence in the area, little has been done to improve the infrastructure of the area. Condition of roads and bridges being pitiable, it is difficult for the police or the Army to reach the sites on time. Sufferings to common people due to this underdeveloped infrastructure are beyond explanation,� Saikia added.
�Dilapidated condition of two wooden bridges on Bhur and Fulkumari rivers totally disconnects many villages of the area from the rest of the State. When complained, the authorities took some quick-fix measures, which are far from adequate,� he added.
The team visited Runikhata Bhurpar, Kanthalmari, Modati, Mamerambari and many other villages of the area and opined that the relief measures were not reaching many rehabilitation camps.
�There is an urgent need to start confidence-building measures and ensure people about security in those areas. In many places, people are living in the rehabilitation camps out of fear, even though their houses were not damaged in the violence,� added Saikia.
