Congress leaders meet Purkhoo migrant camp fire victims

Purkhoo (Jammu), Oct 31: Former minister and Working President JKPCC Raman Bhalla and Senior Vice President and Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma along with PCC Migrant Cell chairman Hira Lal Pandita Thursday visited the Purkhoo migrant camp to meet victims of recent fire incident and take stock of losses caused to them.

The Congress leaders took stock of the situation and listened to the plight of the victims and other inhabitants in the camp, residing in pitiable conditions in decrepit structures.

Twelve sheds and shelters were totally gutted to ashes along the entire belongings of inhabitants a couple of days ago.

A Congress spokesperson said that the administration provided a meagre financial assistance to them (fire victims) from Red Cross but the families were without any shelter, living with their neighbours and relatives.

The Congress team visited the site on the instructions of PCC President Tariq Hameed Karra and assessed the conditions. Congress leaders also talked to the Relief Commissioner present on spot regarding shifting the affected families to the unoccupied quarters in Jagti or anywhere else for the time being and meanwhile reconstructing the damaged quarters on war footing.

“Bhalla telephonically talked to Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo and apprised him of the plight of the affected families and sought their immediate relief and rehabilitation,” Congress spokesperson said.

Bhalla also requested him to visit the camp personally to assess the situation and take immediate measures.

Congress leaders alleged that after the former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s initiative for Kashmiri migrants’ relief, rehabilitation, financial and employment package, no initiative was taken by the BJP govt.

“The left out families in Purkhu camps, numbering 108 in total, were living in an unhygienic situation. It was Dr Manmohan Singh govt only which took care of Kashmiri migrant community and no further steps were taken for their welfare,” Congress leaders alleged and sought urgent steps for their welfare and upliftment.