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Villagers allege discrimination in relief

Shujaat Bukhari

Say politicians promoting their vote bank or clan

KAMALKOT: The relief distribution in Uri, the worst-hit belt in the October 8 earthquake, has triggered divisions among communities, with politicians allegedly promoting their vote bank or clan. As a result, many victims are unable to fulfil even their basic needs.

"The impression outside is that truck loads of relief material are daily going to Kamalkot village, but this needs to be corrected," said Irshad Khan, a villager from Kundi Barjala. He said his family got just got one blanket and a few food items. His village was given four tents, instead of some 250 required.

Kamalkot is surrounded by seven hamlets: Sarai Bandi, Jabra, Mardiyan, Dulanga, Shahdara, Kundi Barjala and Sultan Daki. The villagers blame Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Taj Mohiuddin for diverting relief to his "vote bank," comprising mostly Gujjars. "The relief distribution has been politicised," said Mohammad Altaf. Mohammad Hussain, an elderly person, said: "The area has been unfortunately divided on community basis which is not good." The Paharis were being discriminated against. Repeated attempts to contact Mr. Mohiuddin, who is also the local MLA, failed.

Similarly, the villagers charged Shia leaders and Srinagar-based organisations involved in relief work with "dividing" them. There was complete indiscipline in relief distribution.

A village that had a sizeable number of Shia population got the maximum from the same community. However, Syed Rehmat Shah, a local, said: "This is not the case. There is no discrimination in the distribution of relief."

Ghulam Mohammad countered the Government claim that cash assistance was being disbursed among the affected population. "Nobody has been given relief. Only Mufti Saheb [Chief Minister] came here yesterday and gave some cheques. We do not know who was given and what was the basis."

The villagers said their expectations that Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and ruling People's Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, who visited the area on Thursday, would push forward the relief process failed. The leaders only made speeches.

The Hindu families in Bandy, near Uri, complained that they were being ignored.

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Villagers allege discrimination in relief

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