Church steps up relief efforts with survey and medicines

Church steps up relief efforts with survey and medicines

Thomas D’Silva

Bongaigaon, July 28: On a day when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Kokrajhar and announced relief package assuring investigation into the causes of ethnic violence, the Church in Bongaigaonreached out to inmates of the camps by sending medical teams. The clashes between the migrant Muslims and the Bodo tribals have resulted in over 50 deaths, four lakh homeless and the damage of crops, houses and property.

Meeting the victims of violence in the relief camps, Singh said, "I have come here to share your sorrow and pain and this is a time for healing." The Bongaigaon diocesan medical teams headed by Dr. Lachit from St. Augustine Hospital and Sr. Kiran, the vice president of Community Health Association of Bongaigaon (CHAB) did exactly that- ‘the healing’.

The three government ambulances loaded with medicines carried the team to Mongalia Camp under Bijni Subdivision, about 35 km north of Bongaigaon. “Of 4840 inmates of the camp about 220 people were examined and medicines were given,” said Sr. Kiran. The common ailments being: diarrhea, malaria, skin diseases and other water borne diseases. 

This reporter for the first time could survey on a motorbike along with Banerjee Kr Basumatary, three villages- Noapara, Belatola and Sarapet and meet the victims in the Mongalia Camp. “We are happy with the security as BSF is here, but as people are eating only rice and daal and nothing else, they have gastroenteritis. Government should provide clean drinking water and build toilets,” suggested Bithou Brahma, the camp-in-charge.

NGOs like Action Northeast Trust (ANT) of Rowmari near Bongaigaon, All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) of Bijni  and others too were seen trying their bit to alleviate the suffering.

Meanwhile Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil along with Peace and Relief Coordination Committee (PRCC) of Bongaigaon made a survey of Subaijhar Camp in Chirang district to assess the damage and plan the relief measures. The camp in the high school there has over 4500 people. He also visited the Satsang Ashram there, which too has become a camp and expressed solidarity with the inmates. 

Bishop Pulloppillil has convened on July 29^th Inter Church Peace Mission (ICPM) comprising all Christian denominations to evolve strategies for peace initiatives.  A joint press statement is expected to be released after the meeting.