'Provide government jobs to at least one member of every disaster-affected family; there were serious lapses in rescue operations'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan has criticised the state government and Chief Minister V D Satheesan over alleged lapses in rescue and relief operations following widespread rain-related disasters.

Pinarayi said the suffering of disaster-hit people was continuing and stressed that those affected by natural disasters should not be left helpless. He also criticised the Chief Minister, saying his statements were going beyond acceptable limits.

"Immediate assistance must be ensured, including in coastal areas. The crisis can be addressed if the relief measures implemented by the previous government are continued. It would be desirable to provide a government job to at least one member of every disaster-affected family. There were serious lapses in the coordination of rescue operations. The emergency measures that should have been taken in such situations were not implemented in time. There was a lack of presence and negligence on the part of the government. Ministers are visiting the affected areas only 10 days after the disaster. This is a serious failure of the government," Pinarayi said.

"UDF supporters are carrying out cyber attacks against Jiji, the daughter of John, a fisherman who went missing at sea. A section of their workers are behaving like quotation gangs. Why has the government not taken any action against those who unleashed attacks on a young woman for speaking out against injustice?" Pinarayi asked.