Sir,
Earthquake and after shocks have created a severe panic and restlessness among the people of Doda District especially in Bhaderwah Valley where the epicenter is believed below the earth.
As I happened to be there for the last fortnight, I personally have seen the situation arising everyday. People are so scared that even the sound of running vehicles feels to them as the sound of earthquake now. Althought, administration and leaders of different political parties are paying regular visits to the area, but what about actual relief on the ground?
Poor people of both the communities of Bhaderwah are neglected as they have no political push or near and dear to the big bosses in administration. Even basic relief like tents, ration etc is far from actual victims. There seems to be no end to their plight. Tents are issued to the favourites, to those who are close to the authorities.
One day road was blocked at Village Udrana and Dumail area for the whole day but it was surprising to see that none from administration bothered to pacify the crowd and none visited the places with the result even patients coming in vehicles were unable to reach hospitals till late evening.
As I happened to be local, I asked some protesters why the road was closed, I was shocked to know from one of the protesters that favouritism is going on in issuing of tents.
He quoted one example of a person who doesn’t reside in the area but was provided tent and he left the area of disaster not spending even a single night in the area. There are many examples like this. Poor people are helpless spending sleepless nights along with children outside in open in chilling cold. There seems to be no end to their vows as continuous tremors of earthquakes have totally disturbed the bed rocks and many poisonous insects, snakes have emerged out of their hide outs. Two days back, as tremor was in force, people rushed in open and a lady was bitten by a snake in Udrana area and she rushed to hospital for treatment.
My simple question to the administration is that what is the fault of these poor people, have mercy and fear from God why the people are deprived of the basic needs when Central
Government by the efforts of Union Health Minister Gulab Nabi Azad, who is continuously visiting the Valley has provided relief amount and material and much more pouring in. Also the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is keeping a close watch and has deputed Cabinet Ministers to supervise the conditions. ,
Inspite of this, favoritism to the loved ones is continuing. There seems step motherly treatment to the people of Doda District in comparison to other districts in every matter i.e migrants’ issues, employment issue, road connectivity issue and now relief issue to the actual sufferers and needy. Higher-ups should check the ground reality and act that’ll be true service to God if one helps needy.
Yours etc….
Kaushal Kotwal
SDAO (Retd) Jammu
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel