National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, today called for a comprehensive and holistic survey across Jammu and Kashmir in areas where alarming reports have emerged about damages to residential houses and other structures due to land sinking following torrential rains.
“Such calamities, triggered by the recent spell of cloudbursts, incessant rains, and flash floods, have created a situation where human lives cannot be left to live under a constant looming threat”, Sadhotra said while interacting with affected people during his visit to village Sundla, Block Khoon, Tehsil Majalta, in Udhampur district, where about more than 30 houses totally submerged due to sinking of land. He also interacted with the victims of land sinking at Relief Camp organized by Udhampur administration. He appreciated the efforts of the government. He told the people that he will take up the matter with the Chief Minister Jenab Omar Abdullah for five marlas of plot to every victim of sinking / erosion of land in different part of Jammu region. He expressed hope that government will take early decision in the matter.
Sadhotra expressed deep anguish over the extensive damage caused to more than 30 residential houses, due to massive land sinking, observing that despite temporary measures, the people remain in distress, as the tents provided to them have torn apart due to the continued rains, leaving families including children and elderly exposed to harsh conditions.
Sadhotra said that these unfortunate families, who have lost their houses, also stand deprived of their basic belongings like bedding, clothes, utensils, and other household goods, thus plunging them into a life of misery. He called for urgent financial assistance to ensure that such victims are able to restart their lives with dignity. It is not just about shelter but about restoring a sense of security and normalcy in their lives, he added.He also strongly pleaded for adequate financing for the reconstruction of dwelling units in the affected areas before onset of the winter, saying that merely shifting families temporarily will not address the larger humanitarian crisis. A well-devised policy framework must be evolved to compensate for losses, rebuild houses, and make permanent rehabilitation possible for the victims of this calamity, he said.
Mr. Sadhotra underscored the need for long-term planning and disaster preparedness to deal with such recurring natural calamities. He hoped the administration, along with its disaster management agencies, will remain proactive in identifying vulnerable zones and ensuring preventive measures to avoid recurrence of such tragedies, as per the declarations of the Chief Minister.
He assured the people of his continued support in raising their genuine issues at every platform and said the National Conference has always been committed to the cause of the common man, particularly the marginalized sections who bear the brunt of such unforeseen calamities.
“Natural disasters do not just destroy infrastructure; they devastate lives and dreams. It is our collective responsibility as a society and a government to stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims until they are fully rehabilitated,” Mr. Sadhotra said. Prominent among those accompanying the former Minister during his visit included Mohd Ayoub Malik Provincial Secretary, Ram Parshotam Sharma District President Udhampur, Raghubir Singh Manhas District President Jammu, Rakesh Sharma YNC District President, Abdul Ghani Teli OBC President, Mukesh Thappa, Mumjal Fambra, Angrez Singh, Tanveer Fambra, Iqbal Fambra, Mir Qasim, Abdul Rashid, Capt Rattan Singh, Shankar Singh, Sanjeev Sharma, Gharu Ram, Om Parkash, Master Mohd Aslam, Veer Ji Bhat, S Sewak Singh Rtd SSP, Som Raj, Sandeep Singh Manhas, Parvinder Singh, Devender Singh, Ashanand, Tarsem Khullar, Showket Chowdhary.
National Conference leader Ajay Kumar Sadhotra interacting with victims of land sinking at village Sundla in a relief Camp organized by Udhampur administration.