GUWAHATI, July 16 - The Red Cross Discharged Employees� Union today threatened that if the authorities concerned fail to meet, by August 19 next, its demands including institution of an enquiry into the alleged embezzlement of the Red Cross Society resources by a clique led by its now-expired secretary for the past about 36 years, its members would resort to fast for an indefinite period from August 20.
In a statement here secretary of the Red Cross Discharged Employees� Union Phatik Das alleged that the Red Cross employees have been demanding halt to corruption in the institution and this made them face physical and mental harassment from the clique led by the late secretary. Several employees were discharged by this clique without any rhyme or reason.
The corruption indulged in by this clique has obliterated the ophthalmology unit of the Red Cross Hospital, while its maternity wing is also gasping for life. The relief materials the foreign agencies used to send to the State through the Red Cross Society, to the people affected by natural disasters, have also stopped to come due to the despicable activities.
Written representations were submitted to the State government and the Kamrup (M) authorities on the above issues, but so far no step has been taken by the authorities to examine the issues and to book the culprits, said Das.
