Amidst the devastating situation caused by continuous rainfall and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, political infighting has also intensified. Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur bly criticized Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while speaking to journalists in Mandi.
Mandi: Himachal Pradesh is currently grappling with the havoc of heavy rainfall, landslides, and destruction. Thousands of people have been displaced, hundreds of roads are closed, electricity and water supply have been disrupted, and there seems to be no one to look after those still stranded in many areas. Amidst this natural disaster, politics has also heated up. Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Mandi.
He said that while the entire state is reeling under the impact of the disaster, the Chief Minister is merely going through the motions. Jai Ram Thakur said, "It is a tragedy to have a Chief Minister who only goes as far as the helipad and then returns, while the real pain lies in those villages that have been completely devastated."
Allegations of Neglecting Villagers
Jai Ram Thakur said that the condition of the villages situated in the hilly areas is very bad. There are no roads, no bridges, and no electricity or water. Relief materials are not reaching the people. He mentioned that he himself walked to several villages and witnessed the situation, where people were narrating their plight with tears in their eyes. The Leader of the Opposition alleged that the Chief Minister is neither able to communicate with the affected people nor is he able to activate the administrative machinery on the ground.
Jai Ram said that he tried to call the Chief Minister six times, but there was no response. Even on the landline, he was told that the phone would not be connected.
Devastation in Seraj, 21 People Missing
Jai Ram Thakur, mentioning his home constituency Seraj, said that the area has gone back 25 years. He stated that Seraj, Nachan, Karsog, and Mandi Sadar are the most affected.
- 9 bodies have been recovered in Seraj, and 21 people are still missing.
- 8 people are reported missing in Nachan.
- The apple orchards of the gardeners have been washed away, and 400-500 plants have been completely destroyed.
- More than 500 houses have been destroyed in Seraj, while 30 houses have been damaged in Dharmpur.
- Jai Ram Thakur said that people are badly stranded in areas like Janjehli, Thunag, Kuklah, and Pakhreer.
Demand for Speeding Up Relief Efforts
Jai Ram Thakur said that the central government has released aid of 6000 crore rupees, which should be spent with complete transparency and priority. He said that the state government should immediately provide alternative means of communication, such as satellite phones, so that people do not lose contact during the crisis. He warned that hundreds of roads are still closed, electricity and water supply are disrupted, and the communication network is down. In such a situation, delivering ration has also become a challenge.
Jai Ram said, "The government should set aside political differences and take help from all the MLAs so that no citizen feels alone in this disaster. We need to rise above politics and work in this hour of crisis." Jai Ram Thakur also termed this disaster in Himachal as "partially man-made." He said that unscientific construction, cutting of hills, and lack of drainage have multiplied the devastation.
Challenging Times for the Chief Minister
After this sharp attack by the Leader of the Opposition, this situation has become even more challenging for Chief Minister Sukhu. The anger of the people of the state grappling with the disaster, the delay in relief, and the failure of communication, these issues can increase the government's difficulties. For now, people need relief, safe rehabilitation, and restoration of communication the most. The state government and the opposition need to work together so that the people of Himachal, who are suffering from this disaster, can get relief soon.
