Trivandrum/Bhubaneswar: Despite rescue and relief operations being taken up on war footing, hundreds of Odias who are still stranded in a few places in flood-hit Kerala today pleaded assistance for their return to their home state.
During an exclusive OTV on-ground coverage from Trivandrum in Kerala, Odia handloom and handicraft artisans who have taken shelter in Thiruvanathapuram All Saints' College narrated their ordeal and urged the State government to facilitate their return to Odisha as soon as possible.
Stating that almost all other state governments have extended help to their people and are taking every possible measure for their return, the stranded Odias have alleged that Odisha government has not assisted them.
Speaking to OTV, a stranded weaver said, “We had brought products worth over Rs 1.5 lakh and everything was washed away in the flood. Around 150 people from 11 Self Help Groups (SHG) have not received their due. In this difficult phase, Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) is in constant touch with us but the State Government has failed to lend a helping hand.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Relief Commissioner Prabhat Mohapatra informed that efforts are on to bring back all the Odias held up in Kerala. “It's not easy to bring back all Odias by plane. All have got seats in the special train announced by State government and they will reach Odisha tomorrow,” he said.