Div Com, other officers trek 14 km on foot to reach fire victims

Excelsior Correspondent

KISHTWAR, Oct 29: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar visited Chug village of Gandhari, Sub Division Paddar last evening and met with the victim families whose residential houses were damaged in a massive fire incident on the intervening night of 27th and 28th October 2022.
DIG Police Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, Dr Sunil Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Dr Devansh Yadav, SSP Kishtwar Shafqat Hussain Batt, ADC Kishori Lal Sharma and other officers of civil administration accompanied the Div Com.
The officers trekked 14 KM (both sides) on foot amid difficult terrain and cold night to get first hand information of the situation.
In a devastating overnight fire incident, several residential houses of 23 families were completely damaged in the village. The Div Com had a round of the gutted houses and interacted with the affected families.
On the occasion, the people apprised Div Com about their condition and the issues these families are facing in the aftermath of the incident.
The Divisional Commissioner gave a patient hearing to the sufferers and assured that every possible support shall be provided for their immediate rehabilitation. They were assured that the Lieutenant Governor is personally monitoring the relief and rehabilitation of the affected families.
Meanwhile, Div Com provided ex-gratia relief to each affected family as an immediate relief.
Earlier, in the day the police, army, civil administration and Red Cross volunteers conducted the rescue operation under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar.
The Div Com assured the families that more financial support would be provided under the Disaster Management Fund and other similar schemes.
In addition, the Div Com directed the Deputy Commissioner to undertake a holistic assessment of loss of property to cover the same under various schemes and SDRF relief. He also directed to ensure that every type of possible assistance is provided to ameliorate their sufferings.