BNP, main opposition party in parliament, Thursday demanded of the government to declare the cyclone Aila-hit coastal districts as a disaster zone, reports UNB.

It alleged that the government's relief and other assistance are being distributed among the ruling party's activists and supporters instead of real affected people.

BNP vice-chairman Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury made the demand and allegation addressing a press briefing on the experience of a relief team of the party that visited and distributed relief in the cyclone-affected Patuakhali district.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia formed seven teams to stand beside the affected people.

Altaf, the team leader of Patuakhali district relief team, told the journalists at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office in the city at noon that the amount of government relief materials is 'completely inadequate'.

Referring to the complaints of locals and affected people, the BNP leader alleged Test Relief (TR) and Gratuitous Relief (GR), whatever is being given, are distributed on partisan basis.

He called for increasing the amount of TR, GR and to ensure distribution among the people who are badly in need of succour.

He also asked for providing new loans, waving old loans, among the affected people, including farmers, fishermen and shrimp farmers.

Referring to various problems facing the people of cyclone-hit areas, including suffering from water-borne diseases, he asked the government to send medical teams to the region.