BJP protests against Uttarakhand relief operation lapses

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists have raised objections over alleged irregularities in salvage operations and distribution of relief materials in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.

The state had experienced a major cloud burst, floods and landslides that claimed hundreds of lives, left thousands stranded, washed away villages and caused colossal damage to property in June this year.

BJP leaders and activists staged protests outside the state assembly to demand corrective action by the Vijay Bahuguna-led Congress state government.

Former chief minister Major General (retired) B C Khanduri said: "The government is silent on several issues, including corruption and inflation, both in the state and at the centre. It has been three months since roads and buildings destroyed by the floods, have not been restored. People have not received basic relief amenities. I have visited different places in the region. People are still forced to pass their days in congested transit camps at schools and other places."

The floods primarily affected the temple towns of Kedarnath, Gangotri, Badrinath and Yamunotri.

Several villages were buried in silt and roads were washed away by a raging River Ganges and its tributaries.

The disaster, dubbed a "Himalayan tsunami" by officials and media, prompted one of the largest airlifts in the history of the Indian Air Force, as helicopters flew hundreds of sorties to rescue residents and pilgrims and drop thousands of kilograms of relief material.

More than 100,000 people were rescued by the air force and security force personnel on the ground, officials said.