SRINAGAR: PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has sought details from the Jammu and Kashmir Government on the status of fire stations and emergency infrastructure promised for Warwan and Marwah after a major fire in the area in October 2024.
Her remarks came after another major fire in Mungli village of Warwan, Kishtwar, which she said had again exposed the difficulties faced by residents of the remote valley during emergencies.
Mufti questioned why the fire stations and fire tenders promised nearly two years ago had not become operational. During Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s visit to the fire-affected area in October 2024, he had announced fire stations in Warwan and Marwah and an ambulance, following difficulties in providing firefighting assistance to the remote area.
“Nearly two years later, another major fire has once again left families vulnerable,” Mufti said, questioning the implementation of the assurances given after the earlier incident.
She urged the administration to immediately assess the losses and release compensation to affected families to enable them to rebuild their homes.
With winter approaching, Mufti also called for prefabricated shelters for families whose houses were destroyed, along with food, heating arrangements and other essential relief.
She said the latest incident underlined the need for a reliable firefighting and emergency-response system in Warwan and Marwah. According to her, local residents had to use earth-moving machinery to demolish parts of affected structures and create firebreaks while attempting to contain the blaze.
Mufti asked the government to disclose the status of the fire stations and emergency infrastructure announced in 2024 and implement the commitments made to residents.
She said Warwan needed functioning emergency services and immediate assistance for families affected by the latest fire.
