Protesting flood victims ransack food grain store

Patna: Hundreds of Bihar flood victims broke into a government store in Supaul district and stole food grains to protest inadequate assistance provided to them by the state government, officials said on Saturday.

"The flood victims broke open the lock of a godown (store) in the presence of the police Friday evening and looted rice and wheat," said Basant Kumar, an official of the state Vyapar Mandal that runs the storage facility.

"The food grains looted from the godown were meant for distribution under various schemes, including the school mid-day meal," he added.

Police officials said six people had been arrested.

More than three million people were left homeless in Bihar when the Kosi river breached its banks in Nepal and changed course on August 18 last year.

Large tracts of land were flooded, forcing people to flee their homes and live along roads without food, clothes, shelter and drinking water. Some found shelter in relief camps set up by the state government.

Many flood victims claim that four months after the floods, they have not been provided adequate relief.

In a bid to show the government their disappointment, many are now blocking highways and rail tracks.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) last week announced an indefinite strike in Saharsa, Madhepura and Supaul districts to draw the government's attention to the plight of the flood victims.

"Fed up with the government's repeated promises and tired of requesting for relief, villagers have resorted to protest to draw the government's attention to their plight," a CPI-M leader said.