Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Apr 6: Tucked away on the fringes of Srinagar’s Lal Bazar, Leper Colony is crying for the official attention which has been eluding this area. The inhabitants have not received any supporting medicine for last three years after some non-governmental organizations stopped visiting this area.
President Leprosy Association Kashmir, Ghulam Mohidin Ganaie, said that they have not received any supporting medicine for last three years and alleged that Government has forgotten them.
Ganaie said they get mere Rs 400 as old age pension and termed it insufficient, saying: “What would we get with it? Last month our colony was also caught by Hepatitis C and we begged for money to treat ourselves. No one helped us at that time. It costs us nearly Rs one lakh. Everyone who was infected is still indebted.”
A paramedical official at local health centre said they used to get the medicine in bulk but now there is a clear shortage. “We take it from here and there so that they don’t suffer. We also don’t have enough cotton rolls and bandage pads. Some of the patients have developed ulcers and they need to be dressed frequently,” Mohammad Amin, the official said.
Established during British rule, the Leper Colony was built by Kashmir Medical Mission during 18th century. The leprosy patients, ostracized by the society, were assembled from various parts of Kashmir and brought here. Time might have cured them but the social stigma attached to them is hampering their social acceptance.
The colony is home to 200 inhabitants and 81 patients from all over the Valley and they are longing for a home, for last ten years, as promised to them by the then State Government in year 2010. Out of 64 residential quarters promised to them only 30 have been so far completed and14 are incomplete while the rest 22 are still living in the one story shacks without any washrooms.
Government in 2010 promised well developed rooms and the construction started immediately but just in one year it stopped because of some problem with the funds. Miffed at the sudden stoppage of work, the residents sought the help of authorities but they only got hollow assurances.
Six years ago under Jawahar Lal Nehru National Rural Renewal Mission this colony was sanctioned Rs 4.25 crore for the construction of 300 permanent residential units with required facilities but six years later only half of the structures have been erected. The raw material meant to construct the residential apartments is lying here and there which makes it messy whenever it rains.
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