Correspondent
PASIGHAT, Jul 11: Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak on Saturday visited flood-affected areas in Lower Siang and East Siang districts to assess the damage caused by the recent cloudburst-triggered floods and assured that he would pursue a separate relief package from the Central Government for the affected regions.
Tagak first visited Koyu circle in Lower Siang district and Korang circle in East Siang district, where he interacted with affected families and reviewed the extent of the devastation.
He was accompanied by Nari-Koyu MLA Tojir Kadu, ZPM Ramle Banggo, Nyachi Koyu, EAC Marngam Kakki, representatives of the Adi Baane Kebang, PRI members and other officials.
Expressing concern over the widespread damage, the MP advised residents not to consume water from rivers affected by the floods due to the risk of contamination and possible outbreak of water-borne diseases. He also urged people to avoid venturing near riverbanks until the situation stabilises.
Tagak assured the affected people that he would take up the matter with the Centre and seek a special and separate relief package for the flood-ravaged areas. He also donated Rs 7 lakh as interim relief for the people of the Nari-Koyu constituency.
Later, the MP visited Boying village under Pasighat circle in East Siang district, where floods caused extensive damage along the Sibo Korong river.
During the visit, he was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner (HQ) Pebika Lego, officials of the Water Resources Department and other line departments, BJP State vice-president Dunggoli Libang, spokesperson Tobom Dai, members of the Adi Baane Kebang, Gaon Burahs, Panchayat leaders and local residents.
Tagak held a meeting with villagers and community leaders, during which he assured them that he would strongly pursue a special financial package from the Centre to facilitate restoration and rehabilitation in the affected areas.
He also recalled his long association with Pasighat through his public welfare activities and said the town, being the oldest administrative centre of Arunachal Pradesh, has always held a special place in the State's political and social history. He said visiting the flood-hit areas of Pasighat was among his priorities to understand the ground situation firsthand.