19-06-2023 :On Monday, the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) organised a protest march in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda area. For the victims of the recent earthquakes that shook the Chenab Valley, prompt compensation was demanded at the demonstration.
On June 13, a 5.4-magnitude earthquake shook Doda and its surrounding areas, causing damage to numerous structures, including residential homes. Subsequently, the region experienced nine aftershocks of mild intensity over the course of the following week.
Marching through the town, party activists led by GM Saroori, the vice-president of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, held placards and banners, calling for a thorough assessment of the damage in Doda and the nearby Kishtwar district. They demanded that the victims be provided with adequate compensation for their losses.
In addition to seeking compensation for earthquake victims, the DPAP also protested against the cessation of free ration to the poor, the reduction of monthly ration quotas, and the imposition of property tax. The party spokesperson emphasized the need for an immediate rollback of these “anti-people” measures.
GM Saroori, a former minister in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state government, strongly criticized the administration for its failure to provide compensation to the victims of the earthquakes. He expressed disappointment over the lack of prompt action in this regard.
Salman Nizami, the chief spokesperson of the DPAP, called for swift government intervention and proposed the establishment of a committee consisting of seismologists and scientists. This committee would be responsible for conducting a scientific study to understand the recurrence of tremors in the Chenab Valley, which comprises the districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban.
Nizami further highlighted the detrimental effects of stopping free ration distribution to the poor, stating that it would lead to starvation. He also criticized the reduction in the monthly quota of rice for consumers in Jammu and Kashmir, deeming it unacceptable.
The DPAP’s protest rally aimed to draw attention to the urgent need for compensation and relief measures for the earthquake-affected victims in Doda and the surrounding areas. The party demanded swift government action to address the grievances of the affected people and alleviate their suffering.