BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 29th May 2024: Over the past two days, heavy rains induced by Cyclone Remal have inundated several areas in Dharmanagar, forcing many residents to seek refuge in safer locations. Evacuees found shelter at sites such as the Sri Sri Ram Thakur Ashram, Rajbari School, and the local railway station premises.
In response to the crisis, the Dharmanagar Contractors Association and Boys Club took the lead in organizing relief efforts, distributing ‘Khichudi,’ drinking water, and other essential food items to those affected. Biswa Bandhu Sen, the Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly and MLA for Dharmanagar, although away from the state, remained deeply concerned about the situation in his constituency.
“I may be out of Tripura, but my thoughts have been with Dharmanagar,” Sen shared on his social media handle on Wednesday. “I have been in constant communication with the administration since morning to ensure additional relief supplies, including cakes, biscuits, milk, and more drinking water for the children.”
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, the District Magistrate of North Tripura, and other officials, in coordination with the Municipal Council and the Tehsildar, acted promptly to organize and deliver the necessary aid. The Dharmanagar Contractors Association and Boys Club were particularly active, visiting each refugee camp to distribute food, a gesture Sen described as “commendable and blessed.”
Sen continued, “Throughout the day, the association and club members kept me updated on the distribution of relief materials. Their dedication is truly inspiring.”
Further reports emerged in the late afternoon about residents being stranded in the floodwaters near Kankri Par Signal Basti, an area adjacent to the railway station. BJP leader Amit Chakraborty relayed this information to Sen, who immediately contacted the Sub-Divisional Magistrate to arrange a boat rescue operation.
Despite his physical absence from Dharmanagar due to prior commitments, Sen expressed his heartfelt sorrow for not being on the front lines. “I deeply regret not being able to stand by the people in person during this natural calamity,” he said. “However, I am immensely proud and grateful for the proactive response of our team members.”
Sen acknowledged several individuals for their voluntary efforts, including Bijoy Saha, Siddharth, Writer, Billu, Sunu, Sukanta Sanneer Kutty, Rahul, Nripen, Deepak Singh, Babul Barman, Pradeep, Himadri, Titon, and Swapan Malakar, among others. He also praised the involvement of local BJP-minded boys clubs, councilor Babla, Bura, BJP leader Babu Mahanta, and many others for their generous service to the displaced residents.
“God bless them,” Sen remarked. “Again and again, I want to instill the spirit of service in everyone, and it has been successful.”
He concluded by expressing some disappointment over the absence of a few close associates in the relief efforts but reiterated his pride in the community’s response to the crisis.