Raja Akbar
Kupwara, Jul 26 (KNS): Urging government not to deprive people of far-flung areas of basic amenities, PUF leader and AIP President Er. Rasheed has sought immediate attention of the government to compensate the farmers in Langate, Kupwara, Handwara and Lolab areas, whose crops have been damaged by in undated floods and hailstorm during last few weeks.

While visiting various villages during his two day tour to these areas, Er. Rasheed interacted with masses and took stock of public issues.

He also visited Dardpora, Gagal and Harden villages of Lolab area to express his sympathies with the three families, whose kins lost their lives in three separate incidents during natural calamities.

Er. Rashid expressed his displeasure towards administration for not paying any ex-gratia to the families of victims.

While interacting with the masses Er. Rasheed demanded release of balance funds against various ongoing developmental works in district Kupwara. He said “Governor administration must realize that entire Kupwara being a far-flung district needs special care and timely funding. District administration must discharge its duties with keen interest and honesty as it is difficult for common masses to reach the civil secretariat for the redressal of their grievances”.

He demanded a special package for farmers and fruit growers whose property has been badly damaged due to recent floods and continuous hailstorm. He said “It makes no difference if government officials just visit the affected areas and create the hope but all this ends at nothing except fake assurances. State government must allocate proper funds to compensate victims of natural calamities. It is a harsh reality that entire Kupwara has already been suffering since past 30 years due to ongoing violence and uprising in the state and people in most of the areas face huge difficulties even to get basic amenities. While schools and hospitals are lacking adequate staff, rest of the department’s especially rural development department and PDD have become almost defunct for one reason or the other”.

AIP president accused successive governments of using Kupwara district simply as a vote bank and then stabbing the entire population by not doing anything concrete for the uplifting of this border district.

He urged union Government to take measures immediately to provide four lane connectivity from Srinagar to Kupwara and sought extending of Rail link to Kupwara.

Er. Rasheed further added that if in other remote areas new districts can be created making geography and topography as the criteria, why Handwara cannot be given status of a district having vast scattered population.

He also demanded women’s college for Langate, Handwara and Lolab and establishing of a nursing college at Haril. (KNS)