Politicizing Relief

Bilal Hussain 

New Delhi and its other relief agencies have again used a calculated approach in responding to the calamity caused by an earthquake (measuring 5.8 on the Richter Scale) that shook the Chenab valley on 1 May 2013. News report quoting calamity victims allege government of ‘partisan approach’. This has prompted the J&K state government to approach the Government of India (GoI) with a demand for relief package for earthquake hit victims of Chenab Valley on the pattern of Leh which was hit by a cloudburst in 2010.

The cloudburst had resulted in loss of lives and huge damage to the property. The GoI had then sanctioned INR 125 crore relief packages for the victims and also announced that all the damaged structures including houses and other institutions like schools, hospitals and government offices would be reconstructed in three months. Why GoI is silent this time and where are the opportunist relief agencies of India? They seem to be in a deep slumber. Partisan approach, discrimination among calamity victims and religious bias during disaster response is all out visible here in incredible India!

Extent of Loss: India Meteorological Department officials believe that the quake was 10 kilometres beneath the earth's surface. The maximum impact of the quake was felt in Doda and Kishtwar districts. According to an official estimates, about 55,000 families have been affected by the earthquake.  The government has so far made count of damage to 50,000 buildings including residential, government, religious, educational and others. At least 1,500 buildings are totally damaged, 11,000 severely and remaining partially.  The losses are still being evaluated as majority of the area does not have road connectivity. One person was killed and about 100 injured in the earthquake. Given that many school buildings were damaged, majority of the injured are school children. At least 28 aftershocks were felt that created panic among 500,000 odd people living in about 10,000 square kilometre area of Doda and Kishtwar districts.

Reports said that a wall of Government Primary School Pootinag of Kishtwar collapsed leading to injuries to four students and one teacher. One student was injured when the wall of Government Higher Secondary school Chatroo collapsed. At least 27 children received minor injuries at Higher Secondary School Gandoh, Higher Secondary School Sinowa and Higher Secondary School Kilotran.

Relief Measures: A total of 3,250 tents have been sent to Doda and Kishtwar districts (2,500 in Doda and 750 in Kishtwar) but "only fifty percent have been distributed so far", a news report said. However, officials both in Doda and Kishtwar districts say, "It takes time to distribute tents and relief in the area which is mostly not connected by road."

Discrimination: According to a report by Zee News, victims of the earthquake from Doda and Kishtwar allege the government is adopting an "unfair and partisan approach" in disbursing relief to them. One of the victims claimed that "even after 18 days of quake hitting the area no relief has reached and the government is adopting partisan approach in giving tents and ration to the affected people," .  However, the administration countered the allegation by remarking that "It is a difficult and mountainous terrain and it takes time to reach the inaccessible areas."

Future: Kashmir is situated in an earthquake-prone region where devastating tremors have wreaked havoc in the past. On Oct 8, 2005, a devastating earthquake killed thousands of people on both sides of Line of Control. The government has to be ready with all mitigatory and rescue measures while dealing with any future eventuality in form of quakes or any natural calamity. While in-place well build disaster management infrastructure is inevitable however, impartiality would be key to any intervention either by governmental or non-governmental agencies.