Many families who were removed from banks of Jhelum a decade ago accused authorities of failing to rehabilitate them after destroying their homes.
The families said authorities have displayed a “callous approach” towards them after promising rehabilitation on ‘fast-track’ basis.
“We were living in sheds and small huts along Jhelum from Tankipora to Fateh Kadal on either side of the river. Authorities on promise of providing us land and rehabilitation demolished our residences but we neither have those huts now nor are we rehabilitated,” said Bilal Ahmed, one among the displaced community.
“We are living in rented accommodations since 2008. We have to pay rent in thousands of rupees while we have no money even to feed ourselves. We are in a condition where our children are leaving their studies as we can’t afford giving them education.
The displaced families say although authorities have ordered allotment of land for the displaced families they were unable to understand why it has not been handed over to them.
“We have completed all the formalities, we want to be rehabilitated, we don’t want any posh area to live in, only a roof on our heads,” said Haseena Bano, a woman from those displaced 10 years ago.
“Our children are in the age of marriage, no one is ready to marry them in conditions where a dozen family members are living in single room, our life is like hell.”
The displaced families say officials were playing avoiding tactics with them. They appealed divisional commissioner Kashmir to look into the matter.