Kathmandu. Nainsingh Mahar, former central member of Nepali Congress and former president of the Nepali Congress, has said that the government should be more serious and active in the relief and rescue of Bhotekoshi flood victims.
Reacting after the on-site inspection of the flood-affected Bhotekoshi area, he said that the government should be more serious in relief and rescue as the life of the people there is becoming more difficult.
"Due to the flood, there has been a great loss of human wealth," said Mahar, "several families have been displaced."
Mentioning that many citizens are still missing, he added, 'The relatives of the missing are still waiting in the hope that their people will be found alive.' He said that the news that two people were rescued alive raised more hope and the government should speed up the rescue.
During that time, Mahar also met with the victim's family and took information about their condition and problems. He said that the Congress is with the government in this difficult time of crisis.
"The victims complain that the government's efforts are not enough," said Mahar, "They are mentally and physically very disturbed." He pointed out that along with relief and rescue, there is a great need for mental counseling for the victims.
Mahar says that the government needs to be more sensitive in addressing the sufferings of the people when almost all sections and sectors of the society are dissatisfied with the government.
"When the people are in crisis, the government should stand as the guardian of the people," he said.
Mahar expressed his heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives in the flood and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. He urged the government to speed up the search for missing citizens, make rescue operations effective and provide safe housing and necessary relief to the homeless families immediately.
He stressed that the flood-affected citizens should be convinced that 'you are not alone, the state, political parties and society are all with you in this crisis.'
Mahar said that a clear plan should be made for long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction after the disaster. He said that a special program is necessary to restore the livelihood of the affected families along with the reconstruction of roads, bridges, electricity, drinking water and other physical infrastructure in the affected areas.
