Srinagar, Feb 15: Strict curfew and restrictions put in place in various areas of Shaher-e-Khaas since past week have triggered humanitarian crisis.  
 Inhabitants of Khanyar, Bohri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Nawa Kadal, Eidgah, Nowhatta and its adjoining areas said due to curfew and restrictions, they face immense hardships.
 “Cops and paramilitary forces don’t allow anybody to venture out on roads. Even interior lanes and by-lanes have been cordoned. We are facing immense shortage of essential items and medicines,” a group of inhabitants of Bohri Kadal locality told Greater Kashmir.
 Riyaz Ahmad of Nowhatta said his child is suffering from severe fungal infection on his scalp. “His hair has started to fall gradually. I could not take him to a doctor at Gojwara due to strict restrictions,” he said.
 While authorities gave relaxation in curfew in various civil lines and uptown areas in past week, most of the areas in Shaher-e-Khaas continues to remain under strict restrictions.  
 Many people on life-long medication also face immense hardships. “My mother is diabetic and is on insulin. I could not purchase it due to continuous restrictions. We fear to even venture out as many youth have been detained in various areas of Shaher-e-Khaas in past few days,” said a youth of Nowhatta. 
 He said a person suffered fracture today while walking in a by-lane at Nowhatta. “He too was not allowed to be shifted to hospital. We are virtually living in a jail,” he added. 
 Besides, medicine there is shortage of baby food in various areas of Shaher-e-Khaas. “Due to curfew
 we could not purchase baby food. We had no option but to feed our baby with skimmed milk due to which he suffered diarrhea,” said a couple from Nowhatta. 
 Many people who earn their livelihood as small time street vendors and laborers in Shaher-e-Khaas are on the verge of starvation.
 “I earn few hundred rupees by selling fruits near Jamia Masjid. From past one week, I have not earned a single penny due to strict restrictions. All my savings have been exhausted and my family is on the verge of starvation,” said a street vendor of Nowhatta wishing not to be named. 
 The inhabitants said the problem is compounded by firing of pepper gas shells by police and CRPF.
 “It has become a routine affair for police and CRPF to fire dozens of pepper gas shells during evenings. My aged mother was nearly suffocated by the deadly gas. Children and aged persons have to bear brunt of pepper gas,” the inhabitants of Eidgah locality said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST