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Where survivors get only
half of rice quota

Vikram Vakil in Anjaar

It's 2000 hours IST Wednesday. Day Six of the Aftermath in Anjaar, arguably one of the worst affected areas.

The pervasive darkness is punctuated by starlight. One has not yet heard of any plans for restoration of electricity supply.

In the darkness, attempts to locate Indian Army officials prove futile. One learns they have already retreated to tents; meanwhile, police officials have long disappeared from this area.

The overwhelming stench is nauseating: must be from fast decomposing dead bodies and carcasses. Yes, during the day, one did notice a heap of dead bodies outside the bazaar area. One also noticed locals moving about in masks.

A grief-stricken cloth merchant, Kamlesh Vora, says 11 of his relatives have died. He could find his mother's dead body, but not that of his brother.

Vora has no plans to flee from Anjaar. "My whole world has collapsed. Where and why should I run away? Even after six days, only 20 per cent of the dead bodies have been recovered. I don't know what to do," he says.

Mukul Bhatt is searching for his two brothers. Not a soul is visible around the rubble that was once their home. "Army-men don't work at night. They retire from the field at 6 pm," he says.

As one encounters locals and shares the terrifying experiences, one common strand runs through their accounts: there is a certain degree of dissatisfaction over the quality of rescue operations.

Some say they are too slow. Waiting for hours on end, to find if their dear ones trapped under the debris are alive or dead, is too traumatic, they say. "We hope to see their faces at least one last time," says a hapless bystander.

A government official makes a customary, conscientious and, yes, off-the-record confession: "Here, there's no coordination. The police, Army, non-government organisations should ideally work in tandem. Food and water are, thankfully, available but survivors are suffering out in the cold. People want material to build their own temporary shelters."

Local government officials agree that Anjaar as they knew it is history.

One saw former Gujarat chief minister Madhavsinh Solanki discussing with Sanjay Gupta, Chief Minister Keshubbhai Patel's special emissary, the contours of rescue efforts.

Solanki is disturbed that survivors are being given only five kilogrammes of grain, instead of the promised ten kilos. Gupta's ready stock-reply: "Shortage of supplies."

Besides power, there is also one more shortage: of patience among Anjaar's surviving denizens.

A resident says, "On January 26 and 27, miscreants looted the ruins of our property. But we won't call off our search for our dear ones, whether or not they are alive. It looks like it will take one more week. So be it."

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