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Saturday, October 1, 2011

Lachen not satisfied with scale of relief works: Cho Rapjor

GANGTOK, 29 Sept: “We are not satisfied with the scale of relief works being carried out by the State government with regard to Lachen and its surrounding areas,” conveyed Cho Rapjor Lachenpa, ex-pipon of the Lachen Dzumsa, insisting that he spoke for the present Pipon Champa Kalden and the entire community. Pipon Kalden was scheduled to meet the press, but had to leave early in the morning when he received word that his mother had passed away in Lachen.
Around 10 villages [Lachen, Talem, Samdong, Kalep, Yathang, Thangu, Lashar, Lashung, Muguthang and Rabom] have been affected and are cut off from each other, Cho Rapjor detailed. The devastation being staggering even if no lives were lost, he alleged today that even ration supplies reached to Lachen were inadequate and added that a large number of livestock has been killed and relief supplies have not reached the outlying settlements yet.
The Pipon and the general public of Lachen, he contended, demand that the State government treat Lachen at par with other earthquake affected areas and release relief benefits equally.
“There are around 600 to 700 houses in and around the Lachen area and most of them have suffered damages due to the earthquake. The two monasteries have also been damaged and we [Lachen Dzumsa] have been handed over Rs. 11 lakhs to start relief work. This money is not sufficient,” the ex-Pipon said and added that the scale of damage was in the vicinity of Rs. 5 to 6 crores at least.
“Many houses have been damaged and the relief amount being provided by the State government of Rs. 50,000 per house is not going to be sufficient to rebuild homes,” the ex-Pipon stated.
The nine membres of Lachen Dzumsa, who attended the press briefing, further alleged that relief materials being sent for Lachen were not always reaching their destination because of poor coordination.
Meanwhile, in a press statement released to the press earlier, the Lachen Dzumsa on behalf of the people of Lachen have thanked the government, MLA, civil society and others who offered necessary help during this hour of crisis.

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