Shivpora, Indra Nagar, Batwara locals criticize govt, hail army efforts

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 13-Oct-2014

The residents of uptown Shivpora and Indra Nagar areas have criticized state government for not lifting garbage even as they lauded army’s role for sanitizing the respective areas.The Shivpora and Indra Nagar, which fall in BB Cantonment, are one of the worst affected flood hit areas in capital Srinagar. The water level in these areas was around 20 feet. Dozens of structures in these areas have collapsed while scores have suffered damage.The locals told GNS the government, except providing ration, has done nothing on other fronts including sanitization and lifting of garbage. They, however, said the army stationed in the area started the process of lifting garbage.

 “The army brought in tippers and started lifting garbage from Batwara, Shivpora and its adjoining area. They also used JCB during the process and the process of lifting the garbage is still on,” Molvi Muhammad Sajad Peer, who is Imam of Jamia Masjid Shivpora, told GNS.Molvi said that since flood hit the Srinagar, “we saw only army from time to time.”

He said that the army was seen rescuing, providing relief, de-watering the areas and then sanitization. Subsequently, the army had also conducted free medical camps in these areas.Hence the role of army from time to time post-devastating floods is highly appreciable, the Molvi said.Assadullah Dar, another local from Shivpora who worked as a volunteer with army, said at least 16 tippers were pressed in service to lift the garbage. “The garbage is later dumped somewhere at Lethpora in south Kashmir,” he told GNS. According to locals, Dar had rescued 30 Sikhs in Sonwar during floods.Meanwhile, a member of the local masjid committee at Batwara, Parvaiz Ahmad told GNS that the local youth along with army have started cleaning drive in this locality since September 16 and is still in progress.He said that being our neigbours, army reached our area and helped us in many ways like providing relief, conducting medical camps and are now cleaning the area. (GNS)