NHRC warns against inadequate tents in J-K

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has pointed to the shortage of shelters for the quake-affected people of North Kashmir, and also...

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has pointed to the shortage of shelters for the quake-affected people of North Kashmir, and also9 warned that exposure to cold may compound the tragedy.

An interim report of the commission, prepared by a three-member team after a five-day visit to the quake-affected areas of Uri and Tangdhar, said, “There is no shortage of food and medicines,” but the “continued exposure of the children, the old and the infirm to the cold poses a threat to them.’’

The commission has reported that about 20,000 houses have been damaged in the quake and nearly 1.5 to two lakh people affected.

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A majority of people in these areas, the report said, preferred to live under open skies, fearing mini-quakes that had been rocking the region since Saturday.

The commission sources said the state officials complained of acute shortage of quality tents that could ward off chill. ‘‘Most of the tents being sent are those used in marriage pandals and not those meant for cold places,’’ the report said.

Praising the efforts of the state as well as the Central governments along with the security forces, the NHRC has asked them to quickly build temporary shelters for the community living there to prevent further casualities.

It has also asked the government to ensure that enough building material is available in the state and to prepare a list of orphans and destitute women, who, it says, should get relief on priority.

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The commission has also asked the state and the central governments to set up designated centres for relief collection to bring transparency in distribution.

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