Kashmir146;s agony

When the tsunami hit on December 26, the national perception of the tragedy was almost instantaneous with television feeds and newspaper hea...

When the tsunami hit on December 26, the national perception of the tragedy was almost instantaneous with television feeds and newspaper headlines constantly reminding the people of the utter devastation caused by the killer waves. J038;K8217;s avalanche tragedy, in contrast, is being played out in relative obscurity in a snow-bound corner of the country. This is a comment on the isolation of J038;K 8212; geographically, and politically. The mountains and the weather have always conspired to both hide and divide and it is now for the country to reach out to the victims of this tragedy, belated though such a response will be. The state government, safely ensconced in the winter capital of Jammu, has proved clearly unequal to the task. There is also no sign that the national disaster management group is exerting itself over the crisis. The only agency that has shown some signs of life are the armed forces, for which they deserve the nation8217;s unqualified gratitude.

The snow storms have also highlighted one great infrastructural flaw in terms of road connectivity between J038;K and the rest of the country. The 300-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is clearly inadequate to meet the needs of the state, especially in winter when avalanches are the rule. It is not for the first time that the Jawahar Tunnel has been snowed in. It is not for the first time that all traffic along the highway has ground to a halt. It is not for the first time that large sections of the highway have completely disintegrated. Yet the state is completely and totally dependent on this one road for crucial supplies, as indeed for relief and rescue teams. There has been talk about building an alternative, all-weather Mughal Road but so far it has been a no-show. J038;K urgently requires alternative road links 8212; not just to escape the worst effects of a natural calamity but to improve general well-being in the state.

Today, the avalanche-affected population have diverse requirements which go beyond mere truckloads of rice. They need medical aid and coordinated rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. They need shovels and rescue teams; fuel and food stocks. They need the government to provide direction and succour. Most of all, in their hour of need, they need the concern of the nation.