Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 29: In the aftermath of devastating landslides that reduced several homes to rubble in Sunjwan area of Jammu district, DDC Suchetgarh and senior Congress leader Taranjit Singh Tony visited the temporary shelter camps established in Government schools to meet the displaced families and assess the prevailing conditions. He was accompanying Cabinet Minister Javed Rana.
According to officials, around 20 houses have been completely damaged in Upper and Lower Barmini localities of Sunjwan over the last two days. Sixteen houses were flattened on Wednesday, while four more collapsed today, leaving families homeless and in a state of deep distress. Locals fear that many more houses are on the verge of devastation as the mountain slope continues to slide, triggered by incessant rains.
Addressing the victims, Tony expressed solidarity and criticized the administration for failing to provide adequate rehabilitation measures in time. “These families have lost everything overnight. The Government must rise to the occasion, extend immediate financial relief, and most importantly, prepare a comprehensive long-term plan for their rehabilitation. Suitable land should be allotted to the affected families so that they can rebuild their lives with dignity,” Tony said while interacting with the displaced persons.
Javed Rana assured the affected people that their concerns would be taken up at the highest level. “The Chief Minister has already been apprised of the situation and has assured that suitable measures will be taken at the earliest. Compensation to the families will be ensured and the demand for allotment of safe land for their rehabilitation will be given priority,” Rana said.
The victims, many of whom broke down while narrating their ordeal, urged the visiting leaders to press the administration for immediate relief. They also demanded adequate facilities in the shelter camps, including food, drinking water, sanitation, and medical aid.
Local residents of Sunjwan also appealed for preventive measures such as slope stabilization and drainage channels to prevent further landslides in the hilly terrain.
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