People's Democracy

AN eight member delegation of central trade union leaders which visited the violence hit areas of Gujarat observed that the relief being provided to the victims of this state sponsored pogrom is totally inadequate. While ridiculing the announcement made by the prime minister of Rs 150 crore relief, the delegation demanded the central government to provide at least Rs 1000 crores for relief and rehabilitation.

The delegation included representatives from CITU, AITUC, UTUC, TUCC, INTUC, UTUC (LS). They visited the city of Ahmedabad and met the survivors in various camps. "Having seen the brutality and the level of destruction, we are gravely alarmed" stated the leaders in a press statement released in Ahmedabad on May 2. The team observed that the most affected people of this carnage have been the daily wage earners.

It stressed that people who are asked to go back to their places must be provided proper security. Expressing distress over the utter disregard of the state government in providing minimum facilities in the relief camps, the delegation demanded remedial steps. It asked that the relatives of those killed in this carnage should be provided compensation without delay. It also appealed to the people of Gujarat in general and the working masses in particular to realise the consequences of communal disasters.