J&K: Prayers, protests on quake anniversary

A year after a major earthquake devastated dozens of villages in the Kashmir Valley, the people remembered the dead on Sunday, even as victims in Uri staged a protest against the tardy rehabilitation.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who visited the quake-hit areas of Teetwal and Tangdhar with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, assured the people that the entire nation was backing the endeavour to help the victims of the disaster.

In Uri, former chief minister Farooq Abdullah joined the people in paying tribute to those who died last year and in staging a protest against the government's alleged failure to rebuild the township.

People offered prayers for the dead in several places, including Thandhar and Baramulla. Those living in makeshift shelters claimed they were preparing for a second winter of hardship.

Many of those left homeless by the 7.6-magnitude quake that killed nearly 1,000 complained the authorities had done little to re-build their houses or address other problems.

Thirty-year-old Sakina, a Baramulla resident whose husband died in the temblor, said she and her four sons had no place to build a home.

"I am suffering from asthma. My husband would earlier take me to hospital but now I am left with no one to care for me," she said.

People living at a relief camp near Baramulla said they were worried about their future as they had no means to earn a livelihood. "There are no job opportunities and we demand the government should help us," said camp resident Chaudhury Farooq.

Residents of Uri, one of the areas hit hardest by the quake, gave vent to their frustration soon after prayers in the town.

They shouted slogans against the government and alleged that funds provided by the Centre were misappropriated as many of victims were yet to receive even the first installment of the relief package.

Over 300 families had not received the first installment of relief for rebuilding their homes, the people claimed.

Abdullah said the aid provided by the Centre was enough for accelerating developmental activities but lack of proper planning by the state government had affected the rehabilitation process.

The protestors highlighted the need for early measures to save victims from the approaching winter. Only 10 to 15 percent of people have rebuilt their damaged houses, while others are living in tin-sheds or tents as the relief has not reached them, they said.

Addressing people in Teetwal, Home Minister Patil sought to assure them that steps were being taken to help them.

"The government is aware of problems faced by people after such a natural calamity. Several works have already been initiated to minimise these problems and aid is being provided for construction of residential houses, schools and public utility infrastructure," he said.

The moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference said a lot more needs to be done for survivors of the quake to help them tide over winter.

Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, who led a special prayer, said the families need to be moved to safety and rehabilitated properly before winter sets in.