Cuttack: Tension gripped Nuapada Balisahi area here after several children sustained injuries as the temporary tents they lived in blown away by nor’wester which battered the city on Tuesday afternoon.
According to sources, the slum dwellers were rehabilitated in temporary tents at Balisahi by Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) after an eviction drive at Behera Sahi in Malgodown area.
However, their temporary tents in which they were living were uprooted and their belongings got damaged after a norwester wreaked havoc in the city this afternoon.
Tension escalated at the spot after some children got trapped in the tents, sources said adding that of the injured, two have been admitted to hospital.
“We are leading a very miserable life. We don’t have food to eat, while our children are suffering from high fever and vomiting,” said a victim.
Echoing the same sentiment, another victim said, “We are deprived of basic facilities like food and water. Neither we are getting any medicines. Many of us are suffering from fever and the weather has doubled the trouble.”
On being informed about the incident Madhupatna police rushed to the spot. Reports suggest that a brawl erupted between cops and locals at the spot.
“The slum oustees are irate over the loss due to the nor’wester. We will try to find out their problems and then necessary action will be taken,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cuttack.
“The irate locals have blocked the road and not allowing us to enter the spot after a tent got damaged in the nor’wester. The irate locals have vandalised a vehicle and thrashed some staff who were deployed to provide them food,” said CMC deputy commissioner.
Meanwhile, the holy Patitapabana flag of Srimandir in Puri also snapped off due to strong winds. Outside of the 12th century shrine also remain water-logged for hours as incessant rains lashed the pilgrim town.