Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Dec 26: The condition of people living in a colony for the displaced persons built by the government is pathetic to stay the least. Their homes are made of tin sheets that have a number of holes. Saris have taken the place of doors of these homes as they have no doors. Insects, poisonous creatures, pigs, dogs etc can easily gain entry into these houses, and aged people have been kept guard at the entrance to shoo away such animals. This colony is located in the constituency represented by Ramesh Jarkiholi.

Floods in River Ghataprabha had spread devastation through Gokak town four months back. More than 3,000 houses had collapsed and more than 10,000 were rendered homeless. Initially they were accommodated in relief camps and then shifted to sheds which were built for them.

Ramesh Jarkiholi

These sheds are not fit enough even for animals. The sheds have been built of damaged, old sheets and no doors have been provided. The residents live in fear of attack by animals and rodents. They rue the fact that government, local officials, and people's representatives have not been responding to their grievances and needs.

About 200 sheds were built about one and half months back in the outskirts of Gokak, which were given to displaced people. As there is no arrangement for taking bath, they have to take bath under the cover of saris in the open ground. They have to walk for kilometres for defecation. These people do not have access to power, and get water one hour every day. Added to the problems is the menace of thieves.

The residents say Ramesh Jarkiholi has not visited them even once so far. His brother, Sathish, says that Ramesh can be seen henceforth only at Bengaluru guest house, and airports. The people hope that Jarkiholi, who was elected again in the recent bypoll, will do something to improve their living conditions. The residents of the colony have warned of launching agitation if the MLA fails to come to their rescue and makes their lives bearable.