Leaders say only a few got relief

Leaders from various political parties met on Sunday and urged the State government to distribute compensation to all those families affected by Cyclone Ockhi that swept through Kanniyakumari and nearby districts in November last year.

In a meeting organised here to urge the State government, veteran CPI leader R. Nallakkannu noted that the compensation hasn’t reached all affected families though it has been four months since the cyclone ravaged the area.

Only a section of those affected have been compensated, he claimed and added that the National Disaster Response Force could have saved more fishermen if only it had acted proactively.

VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan claimed that there was a need to protest to get anything from the government. The State government must make use of technology and inform the fishermen of the changes in the weather well in advance.

Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T. Velmurugan, Tamil Desiya Munnani leader Pazha. Nedumaran and human rights activist Henry Tiphagne were among those who attended the meeting.