The tsunami victims have received essentials like cooking vessels, oil, dal, blankets, saris and lungis from social organisations and the government. The temporary homes have been made partly by NGOs and rest by the government.
In Singaravelan, 99 homes were constructed by the SOS Children's Village. The charity provided a large sack of provisions to each family before they entered the homes which was distributed under the supervision of Father Stanley, the local parish priest.
Father Stanley stood with a copy of the list as names were called out. District Collector Sunil Paliwal was present at the inauguration and had joined the villagers for the treat of tea and biscuits organised by the charity.
Just then a fight broke out in the group for the snack. Men were hitting each other till they were separated. In a couple of hours it was evident it didn't take much for people here to brawl.
Even though all present there knew they would be given aid as their names were called out, there were fistfights as the packets were being distributed. Even Father Stanley's presence could not stop the fighting.
"This happens here all the time," said a girl in the crowd, walking away from two women arguing over what they had received. "We see this every day."
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