Handwara, May 19 (KNO): The residents of Ganipora of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district Tuesday refused to take free ration sent by district administration alleging that for last over 25 days they were left to starve and infants were forced to consume unhealthy food.
The locals told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that their hamlet was declared as containment zone after a health worker tested positive for Covid-19 but since then no one visited the area to enquire what they were going through in the absence of essentials and other basic facilities.
They also held a protest demonstration against the failure of administration after a team led by additional deputy commissioner Handwara visited the area to distribute food items. “However, locals refused to take free ration and instead held protest against the authorities for not reaching out to them in desperate times.”
The locals alleged that for past over 25 days no one really bothered to enquire about their conditions after curbs were enforced to contain the virus. “Our life was more miserable than anything else due to absence of administration from ground even after apprising them about the difficulties they were facing.”
They said after administration didn’t bother to visit the area and since there was no availability of ration, food items and other essential items, the locals voluntarily formed a group that ensured everything is available in the holy month of Ramadhan.
Additional deputy commissioner Handwara, Nazir Ahmad on being contacted told KNO that they were supposed to go there but the residents refused to take ration. “This is not our concern, our approach was as a good gesture. Still we have stocked the material with concerned BDC chairperson who will distribute it on his own now.”—(KNO)