Wednesday, January 19 2005 22:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hut Bay: A large number of people in this remote island in the Andaman and Nicobar group today (Jan 19, 2005) alleged they were starving in the absence of adequate Government relief even after 24 days of the tsunami, a charge that the administration has denied.

At a mass demonstration at Ram Krishnapur area of Hut Bay, about 150 km from Port Blair, hundreds of people gathered to express discontent over the amount of relief reaching in Hut Bay.

''We have approached the authorities a number of times but they do not seem to be bothered at all. We are an island of 20,000 people but the relief reaching in Hut Bay till date is only about 100 bags,'' a former member of the Panchayati Raj Institute P K Halder alleged.

The Little Andaman Trunk road which networks the region with neighbouring areas of Rabindranagar, Vivekanandapur and nearby villages had been damaged by the waves.

''This has left thousands starving in the interiors,'' he said. An official in charge of distribution of relief, however, denied the charge saying no one affected by the tsunami had been left unattended.

''A sizeable population of this island has not been affected. According to our estimates, 100 packets are enough for the region. If we find that it is not sufficient, we will certainly rush in more aid,'' the official said.

Most of the protestors were untouched by the disaster, he claimed, adding they were trying to make the most of the situation.

He said a group of shopkeepers in the area had been demanding free ration. ''We have told them that most public distribution shops have reopened and they can get their ration from there. Where is the need for free ration in such a scenario ?''