Former legislator seeks immediate relief

Srinagar: At least eight houses have been gutted in a major fire incident on Thursday at Srinagar’s Nawabazar area of old city, causing huge damage to the residential structures
According to the eyewitness, the fire had broken out from one of the houses of the area which in a just of few minutes engulfed other structures. The fire was later doused by the fire fighters of fire and emergency department.
The fire is said to be to have erupted at 4:20 am and controlled with the help of fire tenders, locals and police, they said. The victims as per officials comprise Mehraj-ud-din Khan and Ghulam Rasool (joint), Abdul Majeed Dar, Nazir Ahmed and Javiad Ahmad Dar (joint) , Abdul Qayoom Khan, Tawheed Showkat Dar, and Muneer Ahmad Dar and Mohammad Shafi Dar (joint).
Meanwhile Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Senior leader and Former Speaker JK Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul on Thursday expressed grief over the fire incident at Dar Mohalla locality of Nawa Bazaar in which at least than eight residential houses were burnt down.
In a statement Gul said, “I am saddened to know about the devastating fire incident that has destroyed various dwellings in the Dar Mohalla locality of Nawa Bazarin Shahar e Khas.i express my solidarity with the affected families. The affected are in my prayers and thoughts. The administration should without any delay ascertain the losses incurred by the affected families and compensate the losses to their satisfaction. There is also the need to ascertain the causes behind the recurring fire incidents in the Shar-e-Khas locality, I hope that the concerned authorities and community leaders will look into the matter. I share the grief of the affected families and pray for their upturn. I urge the divisional administration to assess the damage incurred by affected family on fast track basis in order to ensure their early relief and rehabilitation,” he said
“Government is also duty bound to provide for the basic needs of the affected family unless they rise on their feet again by making it a point to provide free ration and financial support to the affected. Providing temporary accommodation to the affected should be done on priority basis. I once again extend my sympathies to the affected. I share their anguish. God willingly they shall again rise on their feet again,” he added.

Reader correspondent