Politicos barred from distributing relief materials to flood-affected

According to the district magistrate, Use of banners and flags of different political parties by leaders at various relief camps and shelters of flood victims led to chaos and it was also creating a law and order problem.

Leaders of political parties have been prevented from distributing relief materials, provided by the state government,to the flood-affected.

The ban has been imposed by district magistrate Manoj Kumar with immediate effect.

A village inundated by floodwaters..HT photo

“Use of banners and flags of different political parties by leaders at various relief camps and shelters of flood victims led to chaos and it was also creating a law and order problem,” said the DM.

He was addressing mediapersons at his office here on Thursday.

“All BDOs, COs and SDOs have been directed to implement the ban order and allow politicians to only supervise and monitor distribution of relief materials among flood-affected people,” he said.

The flood-affected blocks include Begusarai Sadar,Matihani, Shamho, Barauni,Teghra, Bachhwara, Balia and Sahebpur Kamal under Begusarai, Teghra and Balia subdivisions of the district.

According to official reports of the district disaster management department, a population of nearly 2.8 lakh in 182 villages of the district has been affected by the floods caused by a swirling Ganga.

Five wards of the Begusarai Municipal Corporation have also been affected.

A total of 246 boats including 156 private ones, have been pressed into service.

So far, 14 persons have lost their lives in the floodwaters.

Eight teams of NDRF have been working in the flooded areas.