Flood-hit go on a rampage over uncleared trash

SURAT, SEPT 20: After putting up with the worst that nature can do, the people of Surat have decided that enough is enough. With piles of garbage and other waste lying all over the city, the public went on the rampage, assaulting relief teams, administration officials and elected representatives alike. Even popular Surat MP and Union textiles minister Kashiram Rana was not spared.

There were at least half a dozen instances where groups of angry people singled out relief teams for `special’ treatment, believing them to be from either the BJP or the SMC.

Rana had to face the wrath of residents of Amroli, one of the worst affected areas, and the police accompanying him came to his rescue. The complaint was same: There was no point in visiting them when flood water had receded. MLA (Surat North) Dhirubhai Gajera had to scamper for safety when he was manhandled by an irate mob at Prabhunagar in Katargam. His car was torched by the mob even as he fled the spot.