Sunday, Jan 29, 2006
International
Muzaffarabad: still a tent city
Staff Reporter
Uncleared rubble preventing access -------------------------------------------------------------------------- a.. Three electrocuted due to poor wiring a.. Many residents yet to receive compensation a.. Reports from Japanese awaited for reconstruction -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Copyright © 2006, The Hindu.