NC delegation meets fire-affected families in Baramulla, distributes relief material

Arshad Farooq
Srinagar, Jun 14: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference delegation led by Party’s Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani Monday visited Baramulla to express solidarity with Noorbagh fire victims, assuring them all possible support from the party.
Among others the Party North Zone President and MP Baramulla Muhammad Akbar Lone, District President Baramulla Javed Dar, GH Rahi, Mohammad Yaqoob Wani, Advocate Shahid Ali, and Neelofar Masood also accompanied the provincial president to share in the grief of twenty nine affected families, whose properties along with all the household belongings were damaged during the intervening night of 10th and 11th June by the massive inferno.
The visiting party delegation distributed various household commodities and other essentials including Gas cylinders, wheat, floor, kitchen condiments and appliances worth Rs five lakhs to the affected families as relief and assured them that the party will raise the issue of their early rehabilitation and recovery with all concerned government agencies . While interacting with the fire victims, Party’s Provincial President said that party rank and file is alive to the predicaments suffered by them and that all possible efforts will be made by the party towards ensuring their early rehabilitation.
“We have come to express our unison with the fire affected. We told the victims that they are not alone at this difficult time and that the party will walk shoulder to shoulder with them. It was sad to walk through the ruined and smoldered once lively and humble dwellings of our brethren here. The fire incident has pierced everyone’s heart. Owing to the emotional bond we share with our people, it was unlikely for us to sit back and do nothing for our troubled people. The party leadership has already raised the issue at all appropriate forums, and will continue to do so until the affected are effectively compensated for their losses. In the interim, we were directed by our party president to visit the affected and distribute a consignment of relief from the party consisting of all essentials including edibles, grains and other household commodities,” he said.
While interacting with the fire affected, Nasir said the victim families belong to the underprivileged section of society and merit support from the administration. He said the administration should immediately assess the losses so that a satisfactory compensation is worked-out and distributed to the affected at an earliest. In addition to that the divisional administration, he said, should direct the disaster management and other concerned departments to make all the building materials including wood, sand and cement available to the victims’ families at highly subsidized rates. “Additionally the victims’ families should be ensured benefits under different welfare programmes sponsored by the administration and also provided with free ration and monthly allowances for at least 5 months. Such measures will go a long way in ensuring the quick up-turn of the victim families,” he said.
On the occasion party MP Muhammad Akbar Lone also assured the victims that he will raise the issue of their rehabilitation at all forums. Lone along with other party functionaries present on the occasion impressed upon the administration to increase the quantum of relief and rehabilitation package to the fire affected in view of the cost escalation of various building materials.