There are repeated reports of minor robberies and frequent thefts from water logged, inundated, flash flood ravaged abandoned houses. That has added to the miseries of already crest fallen people riddled with crises of enormous dimensions. Those who have managed to come out of the inundated areas have horrifying stories to tell about the total failure of administrative set up, with no sight of the police force, either for helping in evacuation or in at least maintaining the law and order. Those evacuated in camps rue for keeping vigil of their homes abandoned in desperation, those moved to places away like some came to Jammu have left their well furnished water filled mansions to the mercy of Almighty God.
Criminals at large have not only obstructed the relief and rescue work, not only attacked the unarmed NDRF men and snatched relief boats after injuring them by stab wounds but have also been cruel to the local population reeling under misery, starvation and loss of their homes, hearths and belongings. The remnants of governance in the ravaged Valley should rein in these ruffians as its first priority as the nation, the central forces and social organisations from the country are taking care of the evacuations, relief, medical and other needs.
Another alarming news came from the flood ravaged Budshah Chowk where hapless holed up J and K Secretariat employees comprising 15 women and seven men were robbed of their belongings, ornaments and money on 11th September. The robbers were armed; they came in a boat and committed the heinous crime after confirming that these employees were mostly Jammu based and from a minority community of Kashmir. The order to insist on recalling secretarial employees not belonging to Valley on duty without any arrangements for their boarding, lodging, offices and above all personal safety, needs a second thought and consideration. In any case they comprise only about 10 per cent of the total employees. Can’t the remaining 90 per cent manage the Secretariat till conditions stabilise and a semblance of security to life is re-established where presently the ruffians and hoodlums are running the roost? Are they the ones who were given amnesty earlier or the aspirants for the next one?
