Prof. M. K. Bhat
The great devastation unleashed by floods in Jammu and Kashmir claiming; nearly 300 lives, a large livestock and property worth thousands of crores, is likely to lead to a bigger disaster of diseases any time. The flood water has receded but the stagnant water in houses and at other places can easily lead to cholera and other water born diseases. The dead animals here and there can be the breeding places of such diseases. The hospitals are not fully operational as yet besides there is scarcity of food, drinking water and medicine. Supreme Court of India too has directed the State and Central Government to focus on making food, drinking water, medicine and fuel available to the last victim of this natural calamity. The maximum news of flood relief and rehabilitation is coming from Srinagar only and there is little mention of districts like Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Ganderbal, Reasi, Doda , Udhampur and Jammu etc. This great tragedy treated in a sectarian manner makes things quite pinching for others. It is quite inhuman to discriminate the victims on the bases of their residence. The devastation in South Kashmir or Jammu province by floods got almost eclipsed by the devastation in Srinagar. The media too focused on the happenings in Srinagar alone and neglected to become the voice of unheard areas.
There is anguish among people about the delay in relief and the absence of State officials from the scene. In the initial few days only a few police officers were being spotted on the roads. The State Government almost collapsed on the ground with the fall of this tragedy and many officials have yet to join their duties. Despite this traumatic scene prevalent on the roads of Srinagar, certain leaders without any sympathy for the people of the State want to fish in the murky waters of Jehlum. They were nowhere at the time of flood but have started to make big statements about relief operations/distribution.
It becomes imperative on the part of every citizen to uncover the face of such elements in the society for the betterment of Jammu and Kashmir.
The timely action of Indian Army and National Disaster Relief Force under the direct supervision of the chief of the armed forces has earned international appreciation for their quick response to this grave human tragedy. The air force deployed 86 transport aircrafts and helicopters ,224 army boats and nearly 1 lakh soldiers to save as many as they could. Army doctors and other personnel were working their best to save human lives. The local volunteers irrespective of politics/occupation and religion are working hard to overcome this disaster; they need to be appreciated.
The irony is that there are certain people who fail to realize the gravity of the situation. They instead of working for the rehabilitation pelt stones on those who are trying to save human lives at the cost of their own. Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik was seen by journalists telling army to withdraw from the area and leave the patients to their fate. Syed Ali Shah Geelani appealed to Pakistan army for rehabilitation of Kashmiri people. He in fact clearly knows that it is impossible. Does he intend to befool people by this duplicity for his own interests? Does he take people so cheaply? He fails to realize that it is not the appropriate time for politics or other things.
The anger of general public may be genuine at certain places because the State Government was almost missing from the scene as they were most needed for guiding the armed forces for rehabilitation work. The ruling party must realize that their lackluster attitude is being seriously watched by people .The real strength of the administration in fact gets exposed at the time of hardship.
The State Government is highly responsible for the present state of affairs of Srinagar by allowing the growth of residential colonies in the wet lands like Batamaloo, Bemina, Mahjoor Nagar. The water channels were changed into roads .The water way of Nallamar was filled and changed into a four lane road, the encroachment of water bodies has been too much over the years .It obstructed the extra flow of water into these wetlands. Dal Lake has shrunk from 24 square kilometers to 12 square kilometers at present. All those who put the waste in Jehlum should feel equally ashamed as they are equally responsible. Dredging of Jehlum was suddenly stopped two years back, the increase in silt made the flood into havoc in the low lying areas of the city.
There are certain suggestions which the State and Central Government must take into consideration for timely and adequate rehabilitation of the victims of flood.
Armed forces may have to keep patience to be away from any provocation by disgruntled elements. They may have to realize that the food of certain people is negative politics, such elements will definitely provoke them but the armed forces need to stand up to their highest standard of patience while dealing with civilians. These anti social elements get breathing for propagating their malicious ideology at a time when people are suffering.
The overconcentration in one area can lead nowhere; it may rather generate regional bias and other such feelings among the victims of flood in Jammu and other districts. There is a drastic need of equal attention to all. No one shall get a sense of alienation. Maximum relief material containing medicine, food, blankets should reach to every victim irrespective of the area of his residence.
Care needs to be taken of rumor mongers as they play a maximum role in the deterioration of the social environment especially when communication is highly disturbed .They get easy acceptance in the rural areas and among the illiterate sections of society. The communication should be put on track at the earliest. The journalists too need to be responsible while reporting the things. Calculatedly canards are being spread regarding selective rescue and relief operations by Army and other forces.
Srinagar municipal authority and State Government may have to undergo the biggest challenge of removing the dead animals from the roads at the earliest. This should be done at war footing. The stagnant water too should be made path and sprinkling of disinfectants should be resorted at the earliest.
No human tragedy can be controlled without the support of people. The involvement of citizens in the various rehabilitation committees is very important. The Public participation will increase transparency and may develop confidence in people. Those who have shown exemplary courage for general public during flood need to be encouraged as they are real heroes for general public to follow.
( The author is Deputy Director (MAIMS) Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Delhi)
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