1168 from Paddar stranded in Jammu
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 4: Hundreds of local people stuck in Jammu, Samba, Kathua due to lockdown amid COVID-19, have been pleading to the J&K UT Administration to ensure their return to their homes as they were running short of money and resources.
While the State Administration has claimed to render helping hand to the labourers and students stuck in various States but there are no takers of those who are stranded within the State and intend to move to their homes in various districts. Even a large number of Kashmiris who want to return to their homes in Valley are not being provided permission of travel by the concerned authorities.
Reports from Paddar, Gulabgarh in Kishtwar, many parts of Doda and Bhaderwah, Ramban, Mahore Gool in Reasi; Dudu, Basantgarh, Latti, Ramnagar and Pancheri area of Udhampur besides Bani, Mechedi and Lohair Malhar area of Kathua said that many people of these areas are stuck in Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Udhampur towns, but due to restrictions they are unable to reach their homes. Similar reports have been received from various parts of Rajouri and Poonch.
One Ved Raj from Paddar Gulabgarh said that he had come to Jammu for the surgery of his close relative to GMC Jammu. Some tests were performed by the doctors but due to lockdown, the surgery could not be performed. He along with 9 other members is staying with their relatives at Nagrota for the last one and half month.
“We applied for online permission to the office of DM Jammu to travel back to Paddar but no response was received. We applied and approached there several times. Even, I visited on foot from Nagrota to DC office Jammu twice but till today, the help is awaited,” aggrieved Ved Raj said.
One K S Rathore from Paddar said that his five close relatives are struck at Jammu. The matter has been taken up with DC Kishtwar through SDM and Tehsildar Paddar but for the last three weeks no response from the State Administration has been received.
Rathore said they have submitted a list of total 1168 persons from Paddar Sub Division of Kishtwar, stuck in Jammu, Udhampur and Samba to the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Most of the people are from labour class. “It is peak crop season in Paddar Gulabgarh area, otherwise for 4-5 months during winters, the area remains snow bound. The Administration must take measures for evacuation of these stranded people. They also include some elderly people who shift to Jammu during winters and the students,” he added.
Reports from Ramnagar, Basantgarh and Dudu Sub Divisions said that many people from these pockets, whose number could be around 1500 to 2000 and doing petty works in Jammu and Samba areas, are stuck here for the last about two months. They are mostly from labour class. They also want to go home back for performing urgent agriculture activity. They are constantly approaching to the Sarpanchs and Panchs of their respective areas. But still no helping hand has been rendered to them.
The Excelsior also received calls from Leh and Nobra where nearly 160 persons from Ramnagar and Latti area are stuck. While a group of 115 persons from Ramnagar area working with a contractor are struck at Shey, around 45 are there in Nobra area of eastern Ladakh. They have also been approaching their families and village heads for the help.
Reports from Mahore, Chassana and Gool- Ghulabgarh area of Reasi and Kandi-Budhal, Kalakote and Darhal area of Rajouri said that hundreds of labour class people are stuck in Kathua, Katra, Samba, Bari Brahamna and Jammu area. There is no assistance to the locals from the Government side and they want to return home. Their family members and Sarpanches of the area have sought help so that UT Administration could take necessary measures for their return to homes, taking all precautions.
District Magistrate Kishtwar, Rajinder Singh Tara when contacted admitted that he has received the lists of people of Paddar and other areas of Kishtwar district stuck in Jammu. The matter has been taken up with the higher authorities and DM Jammu as well. They are being sent in small groups now on daily basis but it will take some time, the DM Kishtwar said.
Another senior officer in District Administration, Udhampur said that they are receiving many calls from various areas regarding inter-district movement of stranded people. The matter has been taken up with DM Jammu, Samba and Kathua and they are now sending them in small groups. But major focus is on bringing back labourers and other people stuck outside the J&K, he added.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, however, said the matter regarding movement of stranded local people in Jammu or other districts is being taken up by the respective DMs on case to case basis. The priority is being given to the Medical cases followed by issues of other nature. But bringing back the labourers from outside the J&K, is now the major priority and all COVID guidelines are being properly followed before issuing any such permissions, Verma added.
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