[lbo-talk] Muzaffarabad: still a tent city

[uvj at vsnl.com]

The Hindu
http://www.hinduonnet.com/

Sunday, Jan 29, 2006

International 

Muzaffarabad: still a tent city

Staff Reporter

Uncleared rubble preventing access
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a.. Three electrocuted due to poor wiring
a.. Many residents yet to receive compensation
a.. Reports from Japanese awaited for reconstruction
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MUZAFFARABAD: Nearly four months after the earthquake flattened the city and
killed over 30,000, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) remains
in ruins. Reconstruction is still to start and almost the entire population
is spending the winter in tents.

The figures say it all: 33,726 people dead, 21,374 injured, over 1.25 lakh
houses destroyed turning the entire city shelterless.

Quake victims from neighbouring hamlets have taken refuge in the city, where
major relief efforts by international agencies are being carried out. The
weather during the past fortnight has been particularly harsh.It snowed
twice this season compounding the misery of the homeless.

Three persons were electrocuted in the tents last fortnight, due to the poor
wiring system.

Sajjid Hussain Awan, a resident of Utrashi village, who lost his two kids in
the quake, says: "Inside the tent every day is a risky proposition. Many of
my neighbours have suffered electric shocks."

A compensation of Rs. 1 lakh has been fixed for the family of the deceased
and Rs. 25,000 for every damaged house. Several people allege that they have
not received compensation. Tanvir Mohammad, who lost his brother in the
quake, says: "I have not got a single rupee."

Officials say dispensing compensation has become difficult, as family
members squabble over who should claim the amount.

Reconstruction has been banned as the authorities await detailed reports
from the Japanese. Assistant Commissioner, Muzaffarabad district,
Massod-ur-Rehman, says: "We have instructions not to start any
reconstruction activity till the reports come in. The reports would consist
of a detailed master-plan for rebuilding quake-proof houses."

There is anger against the politicians and the officials. Last month, they
were busy with the Kashmir council elections, a kind of upper house of the
State Legislature.

A lot remains to be done. The rubble is yet to be cleared and this prevents
access to the main interiors of city markets. In some places locals are
hesitant to allow officials to remove the debris since their documents like
land records are still under it.

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