Srinagar, Sep 11: A delegation of the Awami Itihad Party (AIP), led by constituency incharge Advocate Dawood along with Abrar Rashid, on Friday visited the victims of the recent fire incident in Warnow area of Lolab, Kupwara, where 15 shops were gutted.
In a statement, the delegation met the affected shopkeepers and their families and took stock of the losses suffered in the incident. The party demanded immediate financial assistance and a comprehensive rehabilitation package for the affected traders.
Advocate Dawood said the affected shopkeepers were already facing financial difficulties and struggling to sustain their businesses.
He said the fire had further worsened their situation by destroying their shops and cutting off their source of livelihood.
“We stand with the affected families and demand that the government provide immediate and adequate compensation so that they can rebuild their businesses and support their families,” Dawood said.
Abrar Rashid, who was part of the delegation, expressed deep anguish over the incident and called for immediate compensation and permanent rehabilitation of the affected shopkeepers.
He said a limited financial assistance of Rs 5000 through the Red Cross would not be sufficient to rehabilitate the affected shopkeepers, who have suffered major losses in the fire.
“Giving Rs 5000 through the Red Cross may provide temporary relief, but it cannot rehabilitate these shopkeepers. The government must assess their losses and provide adequate compensation and a proper rehabilitation package so that they can restart their businesses,” Abrar said.
