Kishtwar, Mar 2: About 25 families living in Padder area of Kishtwar are constantly living under threat after authorities declared it a ‘sinking village and dangerous for living’.
 Locals told Greater Kashmir that the village was constantly sinking from past six years and fissures were visible on the ground. They said that despite repeated assurances from the administration, no steps had been taken for their rehabilitation. A man was killed and scores others were injured in the village after portion of a land caved in 2005, the locals added.
 Official sources said a team vide its report No 2G/TG/DGM/25/06-07/II/4327 dated 24-11-2008 declared the entire village insecure and asked the villagers to take precautionary measures. As per the report, a copy of which is lying with Greater Kashmir, the village is situated at an elevation of 1900 meters and lies between Latial Nallah (North) and Kher Nallah (South). “During the reconnaissance, cracks, fissures, fractures and subsidence were observed in the agricultural fields. The cracks were also observed in the walls of newly constructed houses rendering the houses unsafe for living”, the report reads.
 However, the administration failed to take cognizance of the report and subsequent representations of villagers submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar urging resettlement of the households.
 The administration again deputed concerned Tehsildar to the village, who after visiting the village wrote to the Deputy Commission vide letter No 591/MM dated 4-11-2009 that the “village is awaiting a major catastrophe as it was not fit for living. He also sought the direction for resettlement of 25 families comprising 159 souls.”
 Taking strong note of the report, the DC Vide his order No 1132-34/010 dated 7-7-2010 directed the concerned revenue officers to allot five Marlas of state land to each family under Khasra No 442 at Gulabgarh. However, the residents have refused to abandon their village and settle at Gulabgarh. “We want financial assistance to construct rooms, which the government has declined to provide,” the residents said adding they were not in position to undertake any construction.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST