Tahir Bhat
Handwara
More than a month after the fire victim families of Tund Mohallah in North Kashmir’s Handwara are still waiting for the compensation promised to them by the government.
Living in abject situation, the families allege only few households received the compensation while others move from pillar to post without being heard. The fire on December 28, 2016 consumed nearly two dozen houses.
Being assured by the local lawmaker of every possible help, the families did not receive compensation for their loss.
The local headman of the area, Abdul Rashid Mir told Kashmir Life that only nine families received the compensation. “Over twenty houses were fully damaged and 3 were partially damaged in the fire but only nine families have received relief cheques so far.”
This winter amid heavy snowfall and freezing cold, the victim families had a tough time to manage their survival.
“We approached the administration many times to redress our grievances but they did not pay any attention,´ said a local of the area.
Another villager said that tents provided by government were damaged in snow and now they live with their relatives.
The victim families demanded that they should be given compensation as promised by the government.
When Kashmir Life contacted DC Kupwara he said, “I will look into the matter and hopefully the grievances of the victims will be addressed soon.”
