Difficult time: Relief camp residents protest ‘unfair’ distribution

BAHAWALPUR:

Scores of residents of a relief camp near Liaquatpur on Wednesday protested against the camp in-charge, saying he was distributing relief items unfairly.

The protesters gathered at Liaquatpur Press Club and chanted slogans against him.

Talking to newsmen, Irshad Ahmad and Muhammad Abbas said there were 5,000 flood-affected people living at the relief camp set up near Minchan Bank. They said camp in-charge Imran Safdar was giving food bags and medicines to his favourites.

“When we asked him why some families had been deprived of aid, he said they should ask those they voted for,” said Abbas. He said ration bags were distributed at midnight. He said the camp administration opened the bags and distributed the goods inside.

“The bags should not be opened. They should be handed directly to those in need,” he said.

He said several complaints had been moved at the DCO’s office and assistant commissioner’s office but no action had been taken in this regard.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Safdar rejected the complaints. “Relief items are being distributed as per government instructions,” he said. “Everyone is being given items for daily use, including ration and medicine.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2015.