40 days on, 15 Machil families stranded in Kupwara

For last 40 days they are away from their home. Stranded at Kupwara, they have now left no money with them to stay in hotels and buy food. These are at least 15 families of border town Machil.

The families Monday protested in front of deputy commissioner’s office here demanding chopper service to go home or else the government should “open the road leading to their home town.”

   

The families were stranded in Kupwara town after a snowfall blocked the 60-km long road leading to Machil from Kupwara in early February. The traffic movement was and remains to be suspended on the road due to avalanche warning issued by authorities from time to time.

The protestors raised slogans against administration alleging that they had visited the deputy commissioner a number of times with the request to facilitate their return to home but “the officer ignored our pleas.”

“We have been left with no money as we have exhausted it on our stay and food during past 40 days due to closure of road,” said Muhammad Jamal, a resident of Ring Bala village.

“Our families in Machil must be worried about our safety as the border town is devoid of mobile facility. The authorities must send us back to our hometown through a chopper,” he added.

Kupwara DC Khalid Jahangir said, “The stranded residents cannot avail the chopper service unless they apply for it. Else the vehicular movement on the road will be allowed as soon as weather improves and when there is no avalanche warning,” he added.

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