Residents seek end to insect menace

People in Selathampatti are facing a strange problem.

Thousands of insects proliferating from the food grains stored at a godown of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), located in the area, have affected the normal life of residents.

The insects cause irritation and allergy. “They swarm the houses and make our lives miserable. They land on plates, floors, food containers, beds, chairs and everywhere. We have to keep our doors and windows closed all the time,” people said.

The situation has not improved despite repeated complaints to the officials in the FCI, Salem Corporation and the district administration.

Motorists face a nightmarish experience while travelling in the area during night hours as the insects get into their eyes while driving.

Shopkeepers in the area are also worst-hit. The insects are present in almost all the bags containing food grains. Residents have made representations to the office of the FCI to take steps to curb the menace.

But no fruitful measures had been taken up to sort out the problem.