The flood fury-2014 which still haunts our minds is fresh and echoing in our ears. The floods created devastation across the valley and people still live life in makeshifts accommodations and tents.
I recount the days when I saw a middle class family living with their children in a tent near Jehlum. Their 10-year-old son whom they had wrapped in a blanket was shivering in the harsh and unbearable cold as the family had no other option to save the child except with their body heat besides a fire-port for a little comfort.
The announcements that help would come any time soon provided a little comfort as the government was visibly absent. People were expecting PDP that replaced the NC government which was in place during the floods would extend some respite as its catch phrase was healing touch. They only disappointed the masses but turned apathetic towards the plight of the ordinary.
There was a general opinion in the public that the PDP-BJP alliance would mitigate the suffering of the flood victims and would be more liberal in extending financial assistance to Kashmir.
The PDP politicians made several commitments of rehabilitating the flood victims but they proved nothing but eyewash. Modi who promised all kinds of assistance to Kashmir turned his back towards Kashmir only to announce a huge financial package for Bihar. Wasnt Kashmir his priority? The keep on blowing the trumpet of integral part severely hard but when it comes to extending support to this integral part, they pull the all-important lifeline.
A few thousand crores is not something huge for the centre but what prevents Modi from extending such relief to Kashmir is a question that demands serious answers. As of now, it looks the PDP has backtracked on flood rehab commitment.
I fail to understand on what program has the PDP entered into an alliance with the BJP. Why the people of Kashmir are made scapegoats and a genuine humanitarian crisis is being politicised? Its unfortunate that despite assurances by the Centre and the State, a common Kashmiri ravaged by the floods is still looking towards the Banihal Tunnel that help may arrive any time soon. This is simply pathetic.
Muhammad Farooq Wani
mfwani786_hj@rediffmail.com
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
