Udhampur/Srinagar,June 3 (Scoop News) – A joint rescue & relief operation was launched by the IAF, Army & civil administration to save lives of Nomadic Gujjars and Bakwarwal trapped in higher reaches of Warwan area of Kishtwar district owing to untimely snow fall and hostile weather conditions The IAF has flown several sorties of MI-17 and Cheetah helicopters from Udhampur and Satwari air bases to the affected areas of Kishtwar and Inchan., Divisional and District Administration of Jammu and Udhampur in coordination with Air Force authorities, the relief operation remained continued for the third consecutive day from Air Force Station, Udhampur, today.
Sharing the details of relief operation, Red Cross Society authority, Udhampur informed that apart from blankets, folding mattresses, milk powder, biscuits, lighters, rice bags, breads, tarpaulins etc., Atta (Flour) was also dispatched and stored at Sukhnai with the help of representatives of Nomadic community for further distribution to the affected population not only in the identified locations but also the surrounding areas for the possibility of any one suffering on this account. These food packages were provided by Divisional and District Red Cross Societies to nomads.
This time also the authorities ensured that the air operation involved representatives of Nomadic tribesmen as on the earlier also their information proved to be of immense help in exacting the locations where the possibility of sufferers is to be ascertained.
On the third day of the operation, the Air Force authorities informed that three choppers fully loaded with essential items and carrying representatives of Tribesmen, they land at Sukhnai in district Kishtwar with essential material to provide instant relief to those trapped due to inclement weather conditions.
A close guard is being maintained under relief operation by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal and District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan with a thrust on exploring every possibility to ensure that each precious life was saved.
The Governor, N. N. Vohra, has expressed his concern and grief over the reported loss of precious human lives and livestock of the nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal families due to the recent heavy rains and snowfall in the various highland pastures of the State.
In a message, the Governor expressed his heart-felt sympathy with the affected families.
Meanwhile A Gujjar organization appealed the Prime Minister of India ,Dr.Manmohan Singh to constitute a commission headed by a supreme court judge to hold an independent inquiry to identify the elements responsible for heavy loss of human lives which occurred due to delay in operation to rescue nomadic Gujjars ,Bakerwals who were trapped at upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir in Pir Panjal, Shivalik, Trikuta and and Zojila hills in mountain ranges of northern western Himalaya, due to snow avalanches, landslides, thunder storms and heavy rain during last four days. In a statement issued here the leaders of Gujjar community through Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation express shock over heavy loss of lives and livestock.
Dr. Javaid Rahi ,Secretary of Tribal Foundation expressed his concern and grief over the reported loss of precious human lives and livestock on different migratory routs used by nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal families due to the recent heavy rains and snowfall in the various highland pastures of the himalya.
Dr.Javaid Rahi said that the tribals are still trapped in upper reaches of Ropadi Dharhal Pass , Gumar Nallah, Drubgam Nallal, Batwat Nallah, Sukhnai, Krish Nallah, Ditch Nallah, Friyabad, Inshan, Asti Nallah or Minjal Nallah in Tehsil Marwah Sainala, Sheeshnag, Vaguns top, Pir Ki Marg, Chhapran, Upper Banihal, Parli Kashmir upper reaches of Kupwara, Baramullah, Pir Panjal, Gurez— Machil, Doda, Kishtwar, Wadwan,Killan,Kulgam upper reaches, old Mughal road, amiya Gali, Gora Batta, Nanansar and government should urgently start a rescue operations in different areas of Himalaya.
He said that Gujjars are facing acute shortage of medicines , food and fooder and blankets and fooder for their livestock the organization appealed for an immediate and urgent help from national and international agencies including Disaster Management department working under Union Home Ministry to provide a genuine help to Gujjars as nomads are under intense food-deficit in upper reaches .
The foundation urged the Defence Ministry to launch a big operation to rescue nomads trapped or stranded.
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