Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, May, 10
Former Minister & President DCC Kathua Dr Manohar lal Sharma todayagain lambasted J&K administration and GOI for delay in bringing persons of J&K stranded in other sides and said this delay is further adding to their woes. He said people people are calling him and complaining that even helpline numbers provide are not replying and he feels pains on listening to their present condition. Dr Sharma said many of such persons have even started their journey on foot and are even hiring private vehicles at sky high costs only to reach their homes due to lack of support and arrangement from the government.Dr Sharma said that he is regularly receiving calls from those at HP, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand,Delhi, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and other states. Manohar while referring to the pathetic plight of several thousands of laborers and other poor daily wagers held up in other states in most distressing conditions he said that those stranded have no money, food and other day to day requirements and would die of starvation rather than the viral outbreak. Manohar also said these laborers are forced to reside in small unhygienic rooms with even 50-60 people holed up in single rooms. “They not only faced threat of corona infection but were suffering starvation due to non-availability of food and other essentials. Several laborers had complained of deteriorating health conditions with no medical aid being provided to them. Facing worst nightmares in foreign land, the said laborers were repeatedly requesting for their safe evacuation with none in the UT to listen to their grievances” said Manohar. Dr Sharma once again appealed the Lt. Governor and the central govt. to take immediate steps for evacuating the J&K residents so that the distressed class which includes workers in small trading, laborers are saved not only from the ferocious pandemic but from starvation as well. He called for taking up the matter with the concerned states on top priority as their families, who are helplessly waiting at different locations for some mode of transportation to reach at their homes after following proper guideline and safety precautions by WHO to further stop spread of disease.
