Kamal slams those downplaying Delta devastation

The Makkal Needhi Maiam president started the second day of his second visit to the cyclone-effected areas from Akkaraipettai and Mallipattinam fishermen hamlets and heard the grievances of the villagers on Saturday. Kamal along with party vice president Dr Mahendran, visited the Muthumariamman Temple in Akkaraipettai in Nagapattinam where local villagers had gathered to meet him.

The fishermen said the compensation amount announced by the government is not sufficient for the losses they suffered. The main challenge for them is the fishing nets which cost at least Rs 60,000 each with each family having lost at least eight to 10 such nets.

The 64-year-old urged the central and State governments to do a thorough assessment of the damage caused before announcing compensation. He outlined the scale of devastation and lashed out at those in power for not taking the time to visit affected areas and listening to the grievances of the people. He said the quantum announced as compensation is inadequate for people to rebuild their lives. Moreover, the distribution of the amount in instalments hampers the rehabilitation process.

In Mallipattinam in Thanjavur district, he visited the devastated boat jetty. The fishermen there said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who recently visited the village, did not go to the damaged areas.

Meanwhile, drama artists who could not afford to donate their own money, performed in public places to raise funds for those affected by the cyclone. They roped in the Avvai Shanmugi Deiveega Nadana Kalai Kuzhu and enacted a series of plays from legendary stories.