Two years after the killer temblor left its devastating trail in Jammu and Kashmir, people in the worst-hit Uri and Tangdhar are unhappy with the pace of rehabilitation and reconstruction.

A joint delegation comprising residents of Uri and Tangdhar sectors of North Kashmir have accused the government of going slow with regard to the development of infrastructure razed to the ground by the killer temblor. The quake had struck on October 8, 2005.

“The rehabilitation process of the victims is still not complete,” the visiting delegation said.

“After the deadly tremor flattened most of the border villages, the immediate response of the state and Central government, security agencies, non-governmenttal organisations and the common people made us believe that we would overcome the crisis within the shortest possible time. However, it was proved wrong, as we are still suffering,” said a member of the delegation.

Official denial
However, denying the charges, officials said that rehabilitation work was going on at a rapid pace in the affected areas.

“The work is going on at rapid pace... work has begun on almost all buildings including schools, health centres and water supply systems. Besides, roads damaged in the quake are also getting repaired,” Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla, Baseer Ahmad Khan, told PTI.

“The relief process has almost been completed,” he claimed.

Raja Irshad of Uri said, “We had pinned all hopes on the government, but it miserably failed to help us out.”
Abdul Qayoom, who moved the state high court after being denied relief for his damaged house, claimed that there were around 400 families who were yet to be compensated.

“The people of the border town of Uri, along with those of Salamabad, Garkote and Nambla have rebuilt their houses, but most of them in other villages are still braving it in tented or tin accommodations,” Farooq Ahmad said.

Ahmad added that the government provided the first instalment of relief, but failed to come out with the second and third instalments. However, the deputy commissioner said the government had decided to carry out the relief work in a systematic manner.

This was being done to prevent  malpractice and embezzlement, as amounts to the tune of crores had been pumped in to rehabilitate the quake survivors.

Financial assistance
“Those who have completed the first phase of reconstruction and provided proof have been given the second and third instalments of financial assistance to complete their houses,” the official said.

He added that efforts were being made to ensure that people rebuilt their houses instead of misusing the amount meant for the purpose.