Excelsior Correspondent
BANIHAL, Jan 12: Expressing anguish over loss of residential houses and property caused by the earthquake that jolted the entire Chenab valley last night, National Conference leader and District President Ramban Haji Sajjad Shaheen has demanded compensation to the people whose houses have been damaged partially or completely in the earthquake.
Shaheen said that reports are pouring in from various areas of Banihal, Ramban and Gool constituencies that dozens of houses have been damaged either completely or partially due to recent earthquake, particularly in areas that include Banihal, Bankoot, Lamber, Mahu-Mangit, Trigam, Khari, Nowgam, Tethar, Chamalwas-Neel-Chaknarwa, Chanjlu, Hinjhal, Zonchwas, Gangna, Tajnihal, Neel, Amkote, Thachi, Pogal-Maligam- Paristan, Panchal, Ramsoo, Kaskoot, Chapnari, Karachihal, Bingara, Doligam, Sarachi, Runigam, Kharwan, Chaka-Sarbagni, Sujmatna, Livra, Ramsoo, Gagarnaag, Bohardar, Uranhal, Sumar, Bajmasta, Dardahi, Shagan, Nadika, Hingni and other areas of erstwhile Banihal tehsil.
Shaheen further said that district Ramban is the most backward district of J&K and the people here are unable to re-build their damaged houses. He has requested the J&K and the Central Government to announce and sanction a special package for all the districts of Chenab Valley. He demanded Rs 5 lakh for each of those houses that were damaged completely and Rs 3 lakh for partially damaged houses.
He appealed to the State Administration to depute high level teams to all the affected areas for the assessment of losses and provide adequate compensation to earthquake victims of the affected districts.