Srinagar, Nov 22 (KNS): National Conference State Spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu on Tuesday visited Buchwara Dalgate to express solidarity with victims of the devastating fire that gutted more than two dozen houses there on Monday. Interacting with the affected families, the NC Spokesperson said the entire party stood in solidarity with the affected families in facing this adversity.
The NC Spokesperson, accompanied by the affected fire victims, party activists and office bearers visited every house that had suffered damage in the fire and took stock of the inconceivable loss to property. Mattu also expressed grief on the demise of an elderly man who passed away due to suffocation caused by the fire and conveyed the party’s solidarity to his family and prayed for peace to the departed soul. The NC Spokesperson was accompanied by Sonwar-A Block President Bashir Ahmed Bhat, Block Secretary Davood Ahmed as well as the concerned Halqa Presidents in addition to various party workers.
Seeking effective and dignified rehabilitation of the affected families within 24 hours, the NC Spokesperson said the State Administration should take into account the harsh, hostile weather and waste no time in making interim arrangements to house the families in warm, clean and safe facilities. “The temperature goes below zero during the nights and it’s impossible for these families to survive in tents or under the open sky. Most of the families have taken refuge in the local Masjid and are being catered to by the Mohalla Committee. The Administration has various options in some government buildings that could serve as temporary accommodations for the families and they should ensure the victims have heating, sanitary and healthcare arrangements in the short-term”, the NC Spokesperson added.
“The Government should immediately release in cash an ex-gratia amount of five lakh rupees per family so that they could buy warm clothes, warm bedding and basic utensils that they would need to survive in interim, temporary accommodations.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe Government is duty-bound to rehabilitate these families to safer areas as urban congestion is a major reason of such fires in the area. There was a similar major fire in Buchwara in 1991 and this is the third such incident since then. Improper and dangerous electric wiring could have been the primary cause of the fire. If that turns out to be the case, the Power Development Department needs to be held answerable”, Mattu said while speaking to the affected families and reporters in Buchwara.
The NC Spokesperson also demanded that the Government sets up a temporary health-clinic and free-kitchen at the site of the tragedy while the victims are being rehabilitated. “I was surprised to not find any Health Department personnel at the site and saw dozens of victims with injuries that require immediate treatment. A lot of ailing elderly men and women as well as little children have fallen sick due to the traumatic incident and the freezing temperatures and they should be provided with proper health check-ups and medicines”, Mattu added.
“I also appeal to NGOs and all those with means to come forward and reach out to these families. Losing your home and hearth during a harsh winter is inconsolable and devastating. We should all try our best to take care of these families as our own and ensure their suffering is limited”, Junaid said. (KNS)