By | Dr Ashfaq Lone
Karnah, Kupwara: DC Kupwara Ayushi Sudan today visited the Line of Control (LOC) in Tangdhar, reaching the region at 12:00 PM. Her visit aimed to inspect the areas recently affected by Pakistan’s ceasefire violation and to meet with local residents to assess the damage. She was accompanied by SDM Karnah Zaffar Lone, Tehsildar Karnah Amin Bhat, Naib Tehsildar Tangdhar, SHO Tangdhar, BMO SDH Tangdhar Dr. Arif Khawaja, Civil Society General Secretary Raja Waqar, and Haji Tasleem, Private Secretary to MLA Karnah.
DC Kupwara began her visit with inspections at Nachiyan, Hajinar, Shamaspora, Baghbella, Tangdar Market, Bhatpora, and Triboni, where she interacted with local residents and gathered details about the damage to houses and livestock caused by Pakistan’s shelling. People shared their concerns, highlighting the massive destruction of property and the risks to their lives. Both Raja Waqar and Haji Tasleem accompanied DC Kupwara at each location, expressing solidarity with the affected families and assuring them of their support. During the visit, Beoparmandal President Karnah, Haji Tasleem Mir also spoke about the plight of local shopkeepers, stating, “My shopkeepers are very poor and have suffered losses worth lakhs of rupees. We demand a quick response and immediate relief to help them recover from this tragedy.” His remarks highlighted the urgent need for compensation and support to rebuild the livelihoods of local traders.
Following the inspection of the villages, DC Kupwara, along with the accompanying officials, visited SDH Tangdhar. At the hospital, BMO Tangdhar, Dr. Arif Khawaja, briefed her about the urgent need for more Medical Officers and Para-Medical staff to handle emergencies effectively during cross-border tensions. The shortage of medical staff was pointed out as a major concern, given the frequent ceasefire violations. Raja Waqar and Haji Tasleem also highlighted the necessity for enhanced medical facilities to ensure timely treatment during crises.
During the visit, Tehsildar Karnah Amin Bhat meticulously recorded all damages in the affected areas. Both partially and fully damaged properties were documented to ensure that relief measures are accurately implemented. Local residents expressed their gratitude to SDM Karnah Zaffar Lone, Tehsildar Karnah, and other officials for their tireless efforts in relief and rescue operations. DC Kupwara also congratulated SDM, Tehsildar, and their teams for their commitment to the people of Karnah amidst challenging circumstances. Civil Society General Secretary Raja Waqar appreciated the on-ground assessment and urged that the process of rehabilitation be expedited to restore normalcy in the region.
During community interactions, Haji Tasleem raised a strong demand for the immediate construction of safety bunkers in vulnerable areas. He emphasized that bunkers are crucial for the protection of civilians during shelling incidents. The residents, backed by Raja Waqar and other community leaders, highlighted that under MGNREGA, lakhs of rupees are spent annually on tiles, footpaths, drains, and local development, but not on safety measures. They suggested that MGNREGA funds should be redirected towards building community safety bunkers. According to them, a single good-quality bunker costs around 3 to 4 lakh rupees, which is unaffordable for most families. However, if two or three families come together in a Panchayat ward and MGNREGA funds are utilized, strong and safe bunkers could be built to protect lives during cross-border shelling.
DC Kupwara Ayushi Sudan assured the residents that she would take up the matter with higher authorities to ensure that the demand for safety bunkers is prioritised. She emphasized that the district administration, along with security forces, is committed to providing all essential facilities to the affected population. She also acknowledged the dedication of Civil Society General Secretary Raja Waqar and Haji Tasleem in voicing the concerns of the community and promised to address their demands at the earliest.
