Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 25: Former legislator and Jammu Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) leader Haji Mumtaz Ahmad Khan today demanded immediate evacuation of Jammu and Kashmir labourers who are stranded in different parts of the country and have been hit hard over the Coronavirus crisis that has resulted into a countrywide lockdown.
In a statement issued here, Khan expressed deep concern about the condition of these labourers especially belonging to different areas of Jammu division who are stuck in different States of the country.
“Over five hundred labourers from different areas of district Reasi like Gulabgarh, Chasana, Mahore, Panasa, Nayabat Chakalwala, Budan, Thuroo, Arnas, Gool, Sangaldan are stranded in different States of the country like Utrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Hyderabad. Some labourers from Reasi are also stuck in Jammu and other districts of J&K. They should be immediately brought back to their homes in view of the alarming spread of COVID-19,” the former MLA from Gulabgarh demanded.
“Under the prevailing circumstances, these labourers are the worst-hit because they are dependent on their daily earnings to meet the basic needs. I am told by their families that these labourers are running short of money and cannot sustain for too long away from their homes,” Khan remarked.
While appreciating the local administration for the measures being taken for prevention of Coronavirus spread in district Reasi, Khan said that the J&K Government should ensure availability of free ration including rice, sugar and flour in Government depots and fair price shops in the areas so that poor inhabitants of the district are not left craving for essential commodities.
The JKAP leader also demanded that Government should provide free food grains to the below poverty line families especially those of labourers, differently able persons, daily wagers, old age pensioners, casual labourers, and other marginalized sections of the society till the situation arising out of COVID-19 is overcome.
“The Government should also ensure availability of medicines in all hospitals including district, all sub district hospitals, primary health centres and sub centres in district Reasi and announce special financial assistance for people in below poverty line category,” he demanded further.
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