West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar has urged that the devastating landslides in North Bengal be officially declared a national disaster, emphasizing the critical need for collaborative efforts between the central and state governments to manage the crisis.
During his visit to the landslide-affected areas in North Bengal, where he led a delegation of party leaders to assess the ground situation, Mr. Sarkar called for a special package from the Centre. He stated that such a measure is essential to provide adequate rehabilitation and compensation to those impacted.
Sarkar also suggested that the West Bengal government organize an all-party meeting to discuss the crisis. He firmly declared, "The central government must recognize this catastrophe as a national disaster and allocate a special relief package. It’s imperative that both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) put aside their political disagreements and unite to support the affected populace during this challenging time."
Accompanied by senior Congress leaders Partha Bhowmik and Ashutosh Chatterjee, the Bengal Congress president made stops at various locations, including en route to Mirik, to evaluate the extensive damage. He engaged directly with residents, offering assurances of full support during the ongoing crisis.
The relentless torrential rains have unfortunately caused landslips and floods, resulting in 30 fatalities and numerous missing persons across North Bengal. To streamline relief operations, the Bengal Congress has formed a dedicated committee to coordinate disaster response and assist those in need. Mr. Sarkar plans to submit a comprehensive report to the senior party leadership following his visit.