Source: The Sangai Express / Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, December 20 2009:
The ghost of Wino Bazar fire still haunts the houses of the victims as many of them are reeling under intense financial crunch.
Thanks to the apathy of the State Government, the victims have not got even a single penny as compensation so far, although the mishap was declared a natural disaster'.
One tenant victim of Mischief Arcade, on the condition of anonymity, lamented that she lose goods of lakhs of rupees as her shop dealt in expensive dresses and vogue items.
The visibly emotional woman added, "Now, I am completely ruined as I would not be able to repay the loans that I borrowed from private agencies".
"I curse the day as it ruined my whole life and now I cannot even support my children properly and stay at home with tension as the loaners keep hounding me day and night", she sobbed.
It may be mentioned that a ministerial team of SPF Government visited the town the next day for spot enquiry.
But angry public blocked their way alleging the team for delaying to reach the town.
However the team was allowed to look into the disaster after a brief altercation.
Recalling the visit, another victim asserted that the team has seemingly forgotten the ravage that they had witnessed, and also the promises it had made to the victims in the presence of a huge crowd at TNL ground here.
She added, social organizations and NGOs extended some help, but the State Government has not given a single paisa to the victims as compensation so far, except a blanket, some rice, oil, kerosene and dal.
Strongly noting the callous attitude of the State Government, Wino Shimva (Tang/locality household) submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister a few days back demanding to repair electric posts and wires damaged on the fateful day of March 9 .
Chairman of Wino Tang said that the plea has not been responded positively till date and the area has been reeling under dark since the day of fire.
He rued, "We do not like to utter words like step motherly treatment', but look at the kind of treatment being given to one of the main towns of district headquarters" .