Questioning the rationale behind Indian government's decision not to accept international aid for October eight earthquake victims, moderate Hurriyat faction Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on Friday said India should revise its policy in this regard for the survivors' benefit.
"Why are you differentiating between our aid and their aid. I don't understand the rationale behind this. If there is such a policy that we will not accept foreign relief aid, we should change it for the people," the Mirwaiz told reporters after visiting Urusa, the last border town on this side of Kashmir, which was completely destroyed in the quake.
"If some one is willing to give us aid with good heart, what is the harm in accepting that. Informed people say relief is pouring in Muzaffarabad in PoK and why we are hesitating to accept that," he quipped.
When pointed out that the government stand was that it was capable of carrying out relief operations on its own, he said, "It is easy to say this for someone sitting in Delhi. But see the ground situation. It is pathetic."
He said the Rs 40,000 relief distributed among people was not enough to build a decent structure.
The Mirwaiz said the issue should be seen above politics and dealt with urgency.
Complete Coverage: Terror from the earth