Children suffering from insomnia in Nandigram

NANDIGRAM, Nov 25 (Agencies): The long drawn violent events in the area have robbed traumatised children of sleep, who toss and turn at night and often wake up sobbing.

"I have found at least 20 to 25 children, mostly in the age group of 7 to 12, suffering from sleeplessness.

The nightmarish experience of the last eleven months have scarred them mentally," District Secretary of Red Cross Rameshwar Mishra told PTI.

These children are mostly from former Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee strongholds of Sonachura, Satengabari, Gokulnagar, Adhikaripara and Mahespur, which fell after being "recaptured" by CPI(M) cadre.

"They can't come out of the traumatic experience and occasionally stay awake the whole night," Mishra said.

Eight-year-old Raju of Satengabari has seen his house burning before his eyes.

"He is so afraid that he cannot go out of the relief camp alone and frequently wakes up at night sobbing uncontrollably," he said.

His mother Kalpana says, "I don't know what has happened to my son, but I am very worried.

He has been unable to have a sound sleep.

I don't have money to take him to Kolkata for treatment." Seven-year-old Minati of Sonachura sleeps so long as she is on her mother's lap but the moment she is put on the bed, she starts crying.

These are not isolated cases.

"I have visited many trouble-torn places, but I haven't seen children insomniacs in such large numbers," said a member of the Red Cross team.

"The problem in Nandigram has been continuing for such a long time that a fear psychosis has taken deep root in tender minds," he said.

"We have not been able to reach out to everybody, but in the relief camp I have found at least 20 children who have been suffering from this nightmarish experience." He said outbreaks of diarrhoea and dysentery in camps were normal, but not insomnia.

"Diarrhoea and dysentery are understandable.

The toilets are bad and drinking water is not upto the mark.

These can be tackled with medication.

But psychological trauma is very hard to remove," said another member of the team.

"This psychological problem might have a dangerous effect.

Unless cured this might to lead to serious psychological disorder later on," he said.

"A number of organisations are providing relief to the people of Nandigram, but they have not noticed this problem.

If proper care is not taken then a generation here might live in fear all their lives," he warned.

BSP leader murdered BALRAMPUR (UP)), Nov 25 (Agencies):Armed assailants stabbed to death a BSP leader at Pachotha village in the district today.

BSP leader Jaaram Baudh was stabbed several times while he was having tea in the village market, police said.

He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead, police said adding two persons, including the village head, were taken into custody in this connection.

Old enmity was stated to be the motive behind the killing, police said.