Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], January 17 (ANI): Victims of the water contamination incident in Indore’s Bhagirathpura locality on Saturday told about their interaction with Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, expressing gratitude for the support extended to them and alleging a lack of assistance from other political parties.
Kishor Dhubkar, one of the victims, said he had a detailed conversation with the Congress leader, who assured them of continued support and assistance.
“We had a very good conversation with Rahul Gandhi. He provided us with a lot of support. I have not received such support from other parties. He gave me a cheque of Rs 1 lakh. In addition, he said that he will take full responsibility for us, and he has also promised assistance for a government job,” Dhubkar said.
Another victim, whose husband allegedly died after consuming contaminated water, said the financial assistance was given voluntarily.
While showing the Rs 1 lakh cheque received earlier in the day, she said, “My husband passed away. He was 80 years old. He gave us this of his own volition. We didn’t ask for anything.”
However, Shanu Prajapat, another victim, said that Rahul and the state government provided financial aid but the locals here want clean water.
“I told him that my mother-in-law died all of a sudden… We weren’t even able to reach the hospital. Rahul Gandhi said that he will support us. We were given a cheque of Rs 1 lakh (by Rahul Gandhi), but what can that do? Human life has no price. The government gave us a cheque of Rs 2 lakhs, but we need water… For how long can we keep purchasing clean water?” she said.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi met with the families of those who lost their lives due to the consumption of contaminated water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura locality and demanded accountability from the state government over the incident.
Accompanied by families affected by the water contamination incident in Bhagirathpura, he also demanded that the victims be given proper compensation.
“Those who committed this. There must be someone responsible or someone in the government for this. The government should take responsibility. The compensation and treatment cost assistance for the incident that happened because of the government’s negligence should be given to the affected families,” Gandhi told reporters in Indore.
Upon his arrival in the city this morning, the Congress leader reached the Bombay Hospital and met the victims of water contamination and their families. Thereafter, he visited the Bhagirathpura area of the city and interacted with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident. During his visit, heavy security arrangements were put in place in the area.
When asked about whether he was stopped from meeting the families, the Congress MP said, “I was not stopped (from meeting the families). This is not politics. I am an opposition leader. People died here, and people are not getting clean water here. I am here to highlight their issues. This is my job. It is my responsibility. I am here to help them and stand with them. You can call it whatever you want. Call it politics if you wish. I don’t care. I am standing with these people (affected families)” (ANI)