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| After floods, burglars hit victims in Kashmir | | Many houses looted in low lying areas | | Fazal Khan
Srinagar, Sept 14: As the water levels are receding in the flood hit areas across Kashmir, robbers and burglars are having a field day as they are breaking into the houses and are decamping with the valuables which people had left behind after water inundated their houses. Reports pouring in from different areas, including Rajbagh, Mehjoor Nagar Jawahar Nagar, Nowgam, Bemina and HMT state that people who are returning after an 8-day long ordeal to their homes are finding it hard to believe that they have been looted amidst catastrophe.
A police official while talking to Early Times said that robbers are striking at will due to many reasons. "Maximum of the thefts have been reported from the areas which were worst hit during floods."
He said that no one is present in the houses to repulse their move and secondly policemen too have been hit by the floods. "It's unfortunate that a few people for their materialistic gains are adding insult to the injuries of people by resorting to thefts," the officer said.
A few people alleged that the strangers who came for their rescue by using boats after taking them out returned and broke out in their houses.
Pertinently, when water seeped into the houses last week many people refused to move out from their homes fearing that after they abandon their homes they would be looted. Their fears have come true. "Many people have approached the police to file complaints. Number of complaints will swell in coming days," the officer added.
As the robbers and burglars are "making hay while sun is shining" on the other hand there are many people who are collecting relief for the flood victims and are busy in ensuring that they do something for them. At many places across the city relief camps have come up and people in a few areas which have not been hit by the floods have opened their doors for the victims.
The biggest crisis which people are facing is that they are running short of money as the banks and ATMs have been closed for nearly 10-days. "Had people not established relief camps many victims could have faced starvation," said Imtiyaz Ahmed of Batmaloo area.
He said that in his area many houses have suffered extensive damage and robbers have added salt to the wounds of the victims by breaking into their houses.
Satwinder Singh, of Mehjoor Nagar, which was one of the worst flood hit areas, while talking to Early Times said, "Many people from our area are missing and many houses have collapsed. Most unfortunate part is that the houses which were spared by floods have been looted by thieves."
Pertinently, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, had also admitted that burglars are striking at will and are having a field day. He had asked Police to increase the vigil in the flood hit areas.
"It seems Chief Minister is unaware of the fact that there are no policemen visible on the roads who can keep a vigil," said Gulzar Ahmed.
He said that in many areas small groups of youth have been formed to carry on with night patrolling to prevent thefts. |
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