SRINAGAR, May 3 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) leader and former legislator Abdul Rahim Rather on Sunday appealed J&K UT Government to provide two months free ration to the poverty stricken people in villages falling under red and buffer-zones in Kashmir division.

In a statement issued here, Rather expressed concern over the plight of the people living in red and buffer zones where they lack proper food, and many have been rendered unable even to borrow in the ongoing lockdown.

“The Government should provide all possible help to these poor and helpless people in restricted areas by providing them free ration for two months so that they do not face starvation like situation,” said Rather.

The former legislator from Kokernag said, most people in these villages are very poor and they do not have sufficient ration, so cash assistance be given to the deserving families to meet their needs.

He said: “People from Kharpora, Nowgam, Telwani and surrounding buffer zone of these villages are facing distressed situation due to the strict lockdown conditions imposed by the authorities.”

The administration should extend helping hands to the inhabitants of these villages. Hailing the efforts of the authorities, he said, “The administration has done whatever they could do in limited resources they have, but the Government needs to look into the needs of such people and render all possible to them at this crucial juncture.”

The JKAP leader said: “The Nodal Officers appointed in these villages should work as a link between the authorities and the people so as to mitigate the suffering of the common masses.”

He appealed that the Government should ensure health emergencies services and other essentials commodities like ration, LPG, electricity, and water supplies uninterrupted in the lockdown areas under strict restrictions as red and buffer zones.(KNS)