B N Singh Papan
Saharsa: Rats are selling at Rs 40 each at village Banahi Mushhari Tola under Salkhua block in flood hit Saharsa district. As the village comprising 150 families is encircled by Kosi the water of swollen Kosi , severalpeople are purchasing these rats as supply of foodgrains from outside has become extremely difficult.
The villagers complained that although they were reeling under flood for the last three days the government help has not reached them. Block Devlopment officer (BDO), Salkhua, Bibjesh Anand, however, said that the flood situation was not so grim that the people would have no option than to eat rats. He said that foodgrains were being distributed among the flood victims since Thursday.
The village is located 44 km away from district headquarters Saharsa and 18 km away from block headquarters Salkhua. Mushhari Tola residents Prabhu Sada, Anguri Sada, Ramavatar Sada, Gugal Sada and Ramvichar Sada said that they were not able to move out of their houses for the last three days. Bechan Sada said he captures several rats daily.