Srinagar, Feb 04: Amid harsh winters, 17 disadvantaged families in rehabilitation sheds near police post Bemina are living in dire straits. As the recent wet spell submerged their colony, the residents protest that it has now become tough to step out of their homes.
Originally from Mansoor Colony Bemina, these families majorly belong to the labor class. After spending years in tents post 2014 floods, they were later shifted to disaster management shelters on a temporary basis by the authority. However, almost a decade later when the number of members in their families have considerably increased, they are still confined to the same incapacious shelters.
“We were promised allotment of residential plots, but it never happened. Officials pay a visit and make promises but no solid step is ever taken,” complain residents while blaming the halt on corruption at lower levels especially at the hands of private contractors.
It was in September 2014 that Jammu and Kashmir witnessed devastating floods. According to official figures, more than 200 people lost their lives and around 400 were injured. As heavy rains and overflowing rivers hit Srinagar city, thousands of people were left homeless in many parts including Bemina.
Poor waste and water management have become a cause of infectious diseases in most dwellers here, leading to prolonged illnesses in them.
“During summers, we have apprehension of jaundice and malaria due to unsanitary landfills present here,” they said collectively. However, due to lack of proper winter gear the struggle only multiplies in colder months, they added.
With only a single washroom available for over 100 residents, the women here are the worse sufferers. “They say our lives have been made hell, we hope to at least get land for our burials.”
Shabir Ahmad, President of this community says that he is now tired of visiting offices and preparing documents to receive aid from local authorities. “There is enough land available for other construction purposes but when it comes to us, the government runs out of land.”
According to him, he is hopeful that only if his voice reaches LG Manoj Sinha then the issue may be resolved.
While talking to Rising Kashmir Sub-Divisional Magistrate West Mr. Primroze Bashir acknowledged the issue and said that the process to resolve it has already been initiated.
“We’re currently searching for suitable land to rehabilitate these families immediately. Within two weeks a complete report over the same shall be sent to Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, after which the process of their rehabilitation will commence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ward Officer Bemina, Mohammad Ayoub Allayi taking note of the issue last week also assured that “he will reach the location with his team and carry on the sanitation drive.”
Originally from Mansoor Colony Bemina, these families majorly belong to the labor class. After spending years in tents post 2014 floods, they were later shifted to disaster management shelters on a temporary basis by the authority. However, almost a decade later when the number of members in their families have considerably increased, they are still confined to the same incapacious shelters.
“We were promised allotment of residential plots, but it never happened. Officials pay a visit and make promises but no solid step is ever taken,” complain residents while blaming the halt on corruption at lower levels especially at the hands of private contractors.
It was in September 2014 that Jammu and Kashmir witnessed devastating floods. According to official figures, more than 200 people lost their lives and around 400 were injured. As heavy rains and overflowing rivers hit Srinagar city, thousands of people were left homeless in many parts including Bemina.
Poor waste and water management have become a cause of infectious diseases in most dwellers here, leading to prolonged illnesses in them.
“During summers, we have apprehension of jaundice and malaria due to unsanitary landfills present here,” they said collectively. However, due to lack of proper winter gear the struggle only multiplies in colder months, they added.
With only a single washroom available for over 100 residents, the women here are the worse sufferers. “They say our lives have been made hell, we hope to at least get land for our burials.”
Shabir Ahmad, President of this community says that he is now tired of visiting offices and preparing documents to receive aid from local authorities. “There is enough land available for other construction purposes but when it comes to us, the government runs out of land.”
According to him, he is hopeful that only if his voice reaches LG Manoj Sinha then the issue may be resolved.
While talking to Rising Kashmir Sub-Divisional Magistrate West Mr. Primroze Bashir acknowledged the issue and said that the process to resolve it has already been initiated.
“We’re currently searching for suitable land to rehabilitate these families immediately. Within two weeks a complete report over the same shall be sent to Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, after which the process of their rehabilitation will commence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ward Officer Bemina, Mohammad Ayoub Allayi taking note of the issue last week also assured that “he will reach the location with his team and carry on the sanitation drive.”
