Conditions at relief camps appalling: NHRC

“During interaction with NGOs,it was reported that eight persons had died in Loi camp but the CMO denied that there had been any deaths in the camp. On visiting the camp,however,the team found that two newborns and five other inmates had actually died,” according to the report.

The NHRC team,led by Justice Cyriac Joseph,visited four relief camps in Shamli district — three in Muzaffarnagar and another in Kutba village — and stated that the living conditions at the most camps were appalling.

The NHRC has submitted a list of recommendations to state and district administration for immediate upgradation of medical facilities in the camps.

The NHRC,in its report,has also recommended monetary compensation to the kin of those who died in the camps.

Chaudhary Gulshad Ali Chauhan,a member of the committee running Malakpur camp said,“Intermittent rains completely drenched the tents and eight babies died before they could be taken to a hospital. A 14-year-old boy died after suffering from fever and diarrhoea,though he was examined by a government doctor.”

The NHRC noted that the temporary tents put the displaced at the mercy such elements. The NHRC said the camp inmates complained of insufficient ration and that only four or five generic medicines were being prescribed for a host of diseases.

Meanwhile,organisers of Joula camp said that of the 30 deliveries in the camp three babies had died.

They complained that the state ambulance service was a complete failure. “A 70-year-old woman had injuries to her head. Despite repeated calls for ambulance,none showed up and she died,” said Abdul Jabbar,a local panchayat leader.