Jehlum bank evacuees wait for rehabilitation hold protest

SRINAGAR, JUNE 29 :Erstwhile residents of Dedi Kadal, Zaindar Mohallah area of Habba Kadal, who where were evacuated from Jhelum banks in 2012 protested today after assembling in press enclave .The protestors chanted slogans against authorities  for not rehabilitating the families as per the rehabilitation policy of the government.

The protestors, including women, assembled under the banner of Jhelum River House Rehabilitation Union and raised pro-justice slogans.

The affected families, who were putting up along the banks of the river between the Deputy Commissioner’s office and Fateh Kadal, said that they were asked to evacuate with the promise that within three days they would be allotted land by the government for construction of their houses. One of the protesters said that the government had done the survey in 2008 for the demolition of the houses, who were living on the banks of the Jehlum.“In 2012 our houses were demolished by the government. We are nearly 120 families from Dobji Ghat Tankipora to Habba Kadal, who were living on the bank, but have not been rehabilitated till date,” Rah said.“After the government demolished our houses we are presently living in the rented rooms. We are working as labours to feed up our families,”

Another protester said they were suffering and facing lot of problems after their houses were demolished by the government.“We have approached so many times to authorities. But it is unfortunate no one is listening to us,” he said.“Presently, 120 families are suffering, living in rented accommodations. All the affected families work as labourers to earn their livelihood and cannot afford to buy houses on their own,” he said.“The process (of rehabilitation) was initiated in 2008 with the selection of 120 families who were to be shifted from both sides of the Jhelum River. In 2012 our sheds were demolished and 120 families were given order slips for rehabilitation,” said Bilal Ahmed Rah, vice president of the union.The protesters sought the intervention of Governor Satya Pal Malik and urged him to speed up their rehabilitation.