Saroori visits fire victims in Kishtwar, urges govt aid

Kishtwar, Dec 10: Former minister Ghulam Mohammad Saroori on Tuesday visited Ganai Mohalla, Durbeil, where a devastating fire recently engulfed a two-storey house, leaving the affected families in severe distress.
Saroori met with the victims and expressed sympathy over their tragic loss. He highlighted the dire situation of Abdul Rashid Wani’s family, whose house and all belongings, including jewellery and household items gathered for an upcoming wedding, were completely destroyed in the blaze.
The fire caused significant damage, destroying the two-story home and consuming all possessions, including wedding preparations, utensils, and gold jewellery, Saroori said, adding that this incident has plunged the family into financial hardship, turning joyous wedding plans into a distressing ordeal.
The former minister appealed to the government to provide at least Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance to the affected families to help them rebuild their lives. He stressed the urgency of addressing the family’s immediate needs and called for measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Saroori criticised the Public Works Department (R&B) for their alleged negligence in maintaining the local road infrastructure. “The delay in extinguishing the fire was due to the inability of the fire brigade to reach the location promptly because a road wall had been in a dilapidated state for six months,” he said “There is a need for station fire brigade vehicles in areas such as Chatroo, Mughal Maidan, Kahara, Keshwan, and Bunjwah to ensure preparedness for emergencies”
He recalled that a fire brigade vehicle was temporarily provided in the area but was later removed, leaving residents vulnerable to such incidents.
The former minister was accompanied by a delegation of prominent individuals who also expressed solidarity with the affected family and demanded swift action from the government to address the situation.
The delegation urged the government to prioritize permanent fire brigade services in the region, repair the roads, and provide immediate financial aid to the affected families. ‘Proactive measures are needed to alleviate the suffering of the local population and prevent future disasters,” he said.