Tehsildar, Sheep Officer meet victims, assure compensation

PAMPORE: In an overnight blaze dozens of sheep were charred to death alive at Pampore village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The livestock belonged to Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat and others in the Konibal village of Pampore during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, locals told Kashmir Reader, adding that more than 80-85 sheep were killed.
After receiving information, a police team from Police Station Pampore rushed to the spot and informed the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Firefighters along with tenders from Pampore reached the spot and started an operation to douse the flames, SHO Pampore Muneer Ahmad said.
Police said they have taken cognizance of the matter.
Talking to Kashmir Reader, Farooq Ahmad Bhat said that the fire erupted in the shed at around 12:45 am and couldn’t be controlled till 4:30 am.
“We appeal to Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and Tehsildar Pampore to provide relief to us as the fire has ruined us,” Bhat said.
He said that 80 to 85 sheep were charred to death, adding that the shed and stored wood too were destroyed.
The firefighters and police tried hard but couldn’t save the livestock, said Mushtaq Ahmad.
Incharge Fire and Emergency station Pampore, Nisar Ahmad Thokar told Kashmir Reader that they received a call around 12: 53 am and within five minutes the team reached the spot. “The fire had already caused damage to the structure and the livestock,” he said, adding that they were informed late due to which they were unable to contain the fire.
Tehsildar Pampore Zuber Ahmad Bhat and Block Sheep Officer Atifa Malik along with their teams visited the spot on Saturday and met the victims whose livestock were charred to death.
“I received information about the fire incident in the morning. We were informed that 80 to 85 sheep belonging to Farooq Ahmad, Mushtaq Ahmad and others were charred to death,” Zuber Ahmad said.
“A report for compensation has been prepared and submitted for compensation under the Disaster Relief Management,” he said. “We hope they will get relief within 8 to 10 days.”
Atifa Malik said that Farooq Ahmad is a cooperative breeder and was having good livestock. “We will write to our district officer and DC Pulwama for compensation to the affected because it is a huge loss. Tehsildar Pampore will also write from his side,” she said.
Meanwhile, locals have appealed to the district administration to help the families who lost livestock in the fire incident.

BILAL HABIB