Sikhs demand probe into Kashmir floods

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 10: Sikhs have demanded probe into the reasons that led to the flooding in built up areas of Kashmir valley and stressed for stern action against the politicians and officers who were responsible for this.
All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina, said that it is imperative to find reasons for the flood so that responsibility is fixed and action is taken against the ‘erring’ officials or politicians.
Raina said that there is a notion among the people that some officers and politicians worked against the interests of people that led to floods across State especially Kashmir valley.
“A probe in the handling of flood situation would be best to soothe the bruised sentiments of the people. There are people who say that water could have been diverted and the city could have been saved from the flood. However, the State Government succumbed to the pressure and ultimately was paralyzed. As such valuable documents of Government were lost and the economy of business community got derailed with business centres suffering phenomenal losses,” said Raina.
The APSCC Chairman said that a month has passed after flood and even today both the state and centre are watching as mute spectators and seem least interested in mitigating the sufferings of the flood victims.
The APSCC Chairman said that the support of Rs 140 crore announced by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India should be utilized in waving of housing loans, construction of new houses and extending help to re-establish the business of the minority communities in the State.