Port Blair, Feb 7: CPI (M) has demanded to construct temporary sheds at any government vacant land near Rangat Bazar and allot the same to the Rangat fire victims.
In a letter sent to the Lt Governor, A & N Islands, D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee said that during his tour to Rangat, he visited the Rangat Bazar where a devastating fire broke out on 23rd January 2024 in which about 60 shops were gutted. The victim shopkeepers informed CPI (M) Secretary that they have sustained huge loss of property and trading goods. These shopkeepers have further informed him that they lost whatever they earned all these years.
Ayyappan told the Lt Governor that the fire victims informed him that they have not yet received any financial assistance/immediate relief from the Administration and expressed their wish to re-start the business as most of them have no other source of income. CPI (M) Secretary stated in the letter that children of these fire victims are studying in the colleges and schools and nobody has so far come forward to help these victims at this hour of distress.
He further submitted before the Lt Governor that the Shyamsunder Temple Committee, the owner of the land where the shops existed before the fire accident, reportedly agreed to construct shopping complex and allot the same on priority basis to the victim shopkeepers.
Ayyappan further stated in the letter that the fire victims told him that if they are provided with some temporary sheds, they can re-start their business on a small scale. The victims had brought to the notice of the Secretary, CPI (M) that some vacant government land is available near Rangat Bazar where temporary sheds can be erected and allotted to the fire victims for their continued livelihood, till such time the Shyamsunder Temple Committee constructed the shopping complex at the same place.
CPI (M) Secretary urged the Lt. Governor to direct the District Administration, North & Middle Andaman and APWD to construct temporary sheds at any of the vacant government land near Rangat Bazar and allot the same to the fire victims of Rangat to enable them to re-start their business, till the Shyamsunder Temple Committee constructed the shopping complex which will be of immense relief to these victims.