Jammu, Nov 2: Today, Rakesh Kumar Koul, former Sarpanch and a committed social activist, visited the site of a recent fire incident in Purkhoo Camp, where he met with the affected families to assess their immediate needs and the relief efforts in place. During his visit, Koul noted the timely assistance offered by local social organizations, which have mobilized resources to support these families in their hour of need. He engaged with the camp’s relief authorities to gain insight into the current living and accommodation arrangements, which aim to address the challenges faced by displaced families.
Koul’s observations raised serious concerns about the conditions within the old Purkhoo quarters, which house over 100 families. Emphasizing the inadequate living facilities, he urged both the Union Territory administration and the Central Government to take decisive action to improve these conditions. He advocated for urgent policy attention and intervention to uplift the welfare of the Kashmiri Pandit community, which has endured displacement and challenging living conditions for over three decades.
Highlighting a solution, Koul proposed the construction of at least 2,000 housing units in a single phase to accommodate families from Purkhoo Camp and others living in rented accommodations. He argued that a robust housing initiative is essential for the Kashmiri Pandit community’s welfare until comprehensive rehabilitation measures within the Kashmir Valley can be fully implemented.
Koul expressed his gratitude to the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, various governmental bodies, and social organizations for their swift and compassionate response in assisting the affected families. He was accompanied during the visit by Sh. Amit Raina, President of the Migrant Cell of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Front (JKNPF), underscoring the unified effort to provide much-needed support to these communities.