Terming the rehabilitation of thousands of families whose houses and property got damaged due to destructive floods as a major challenge before Kashmiris, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Thursday said the way Kashmiris came forward during the recent floods to help their brethren, similar courage and zeal was needed to rebuild Kashmir.In a statement to KNS a spokesman of the Hurriyat (M) said continuing with his visit to flood hit areas, Mirwaiz toured the badly flood hit places of Pulwama including Kakapora, Lelhar, Gul Bagh, Ratnipora, Puchal, Gulzarpora and Beighpora. He distributed relief material among the victims on behalf of Dar-ul-Khair Mirwaiz Manzil which contains blankets, eatables and other essential material.
Consoling with the flood victims, Mirwaiz expressed his grief and concern over the damage incurred to orchards, paddy fields, and residential as well as commercial building due to the ravaging floods, Mirwaiz stated that despite the beginning of winter, the government has not started any substantial relief and rehabilitation programme in the flood affected areas. He expressed his extreme regret over such callousness and irresponsible behavior on part of the state.
Mirwaiz stated that thousands of residents were staying in make shift tents and spending their nights under the cold and rain. He condemned the state for playing discriminatory politics while distributing the relief material.Terming the restrictions on international aid into Kashmir by the Government of India as “cheap politics reflecting a narrow outlook towards the grave human problem”, Mirwaiz stated that Dar-ul-Khair Mirwaiz Manzil would utilize its all limited resources to rehabilitate the flood victims. He assured the flood victims that entire Kashmir was standing behind them in this hour of crisis, adding, everybody is doing his bit to help the flood victims.