Tasaduq Hussain
Srinagar, Nov 16 : With the onset of the winter season in the valley, people in the northern belt of Kashmir are once again worried and concerned about the difficulties they face during the period, especially in the absence of road closure.
The northern belt of Kashmir comprising three border districts including Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara witnesses a huge accumulation of snow and closure of roads during the winter season restricting people’s movement for months together.
In the district border areas like Machil, Keran, Karnah Nowgam, Jumagund, Gurez, and parts of Uri witness traffic disruption for weeks while the people face numerous challenges mainly for medical attention.
Expressing their worry while recalling the challenges faced in the previous years the border residents while talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the population living in the farthest places is yet again concerned about their families especially the women, elderly, and children who suffer the most in absence of timely medical attention.
The locals said that the students also face challenges to attend the professional and competitive exams due to road closure.
Spokesman of the J&K Students Association, Nasir Khuehami said that students face immense difficulties during the winter season and even many miss the job and admission opportunities.
“Last year a huge number of students missed the SSB exam in north Kashmir. Students continue to face challenges. We have demanded examination centers be set up in border areas. Not all can afford to rent the accommodation. Government must imitate concrete steps to bring respite to students in north Kashmir particularly those living in border areas,” Nasir said.
Former Minister and the District Development Council (DDC) member Uri Taj Mohi Ud Din while appreciating the local administration said that they are always very cooperative and the remote areas that witness huge snowfall are under army control and they get it reopened in no time.
“People do face challenges but the administration is cooperative to ensure people do not have difficulties during the winter while all the 69 dispensaries are made functional to facilitate common masses besides 5 PHC’s are also functional. Ration is also stocked up,” he said.
Ahmadullah Khan, Sarpanch of Barnai Tulail in Gurez Sector said people face challenges throughout the season and the road closure adds more to the sufferings of people since the mechanical department is not available to clear the roads on time.
“So far less amount of ration compared to the requirement has reached there. Kerosene is not available in sufficient quantities since the population depends on generators,” he said. “Last year a woman died in the absence of medical attention even at times air traffic doesn’t resume. Doctors are not available while posts are lying vacant and even required machinery is not available.”
Ghulam Mustafa Magray Sarpanch of Dhani village in Karnah sector while expressing concerns with the arrival of winter said that people face immense difficulties all these months and the local population is restricted to their homes due to the huge accumulation of snow.
“It is no less than being dead all these months. The main issue which comes up very instantly is medical assistance,” Magray said—(KNO)
