Srinagar, Apr 24:  Misfortune didn’t come alone for Ghulam Muhammad Sofi when devastating fire struck Habba Kadal area of Shahr-e-Khaas past week. While his humble dwelling was gutted, his other precious earnings –the jewelry for his two daughters’ marriage –were stolen by miscreants who took advantage of the fire.
 While many concerned people were trying to help the affected families take out household goods and other items from the houses under fire, some burglars had their field day out. “They (Burglars) stole my everything,” cried Sofi, who for now lives in a tented accommodation with his family.
 Narrating his woeful tale, he said: “When the fire erupted, our main concern was to take out the jewelry which we had procured for daughters’ who were scheduled to get married in the coming months, but we were shocked to see the jewelry missing.”
  “The jewelry was my entire life’s earning… How will I be able to manage their marriage now,” he said as tears trickled down his eyes. The Sofis aren’t only ones who suffered multiple losses in the fire in Chandapora Gadoodh Bagh, Habba Kadal.
 As for widow Hafiza Begum who has to look after her three children she had got her husband’s pension home the same day. “The pension amount was stolen. Now I have nothing to feed my children,” she said.
 The locals said while people were trying to rescue the victims, burglars didn’t mind stealing households like LPG Cylinders, utensils and electronics goods.
 Some 30 affected families are living in tented accommodation in the area. They accused the government of failing to provide them adequate relief.
 President Mohalla Behbood Committee Gadoodh Bagh Chanda Pora, Habba Kadal, Mukhtar Ahmed Wani said the administration had done too little for the victims adding that the relief provided by wasn’t enough.
 Wani said presently the fire victims were putting up at makeshift accommodations like tents and Community Hall.
 “We thankful to adjacent area Mohalla Committee and local Baitul Maal who provided some relief,” the President said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST