In Pakhiralaya, up to 3,000 people have taken shelter on the embankment. “We are trying to distribute supplies effectively but the opposition is trying to gain political mileage,” said Dulal Singha, CPI(M) local committee secretary.

Government officials admitted there was a problem in relief distribution. There are 99 camps in Gosaba block, all manned by workers of political parties. “In all the camps they are doing the work and we are supplying them with food grains, gas cylinder and gas ovens,” said BDO Amiya Bhusan Chakroborty. “We are looking into the complaints.”

Clashes have broken out in several areas in the past few days over the right to give relief. On Tuesday, Radhanagar panchayat head Reba Mondol of the Trinamool was assaulted. Supporters alleged an RSP and CPI(M) hand. The CPI(M) said Mondol was not distributing relief materials properly and so it had to intervene. On Monday, Trinamool gram panchayat member Sabitri Sit was attacked at Chandipur while she was going to get supplies. There were also reports of clashes in Lahiripur between RSP and CPI(M).