JKPCC President demands national disaster status for Chasoti tragedy, prays for peace and unity, and urges cadres to gear up for statehood movement
Diplomat Correspondent
KISHTWAR, DD: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra, accompanied by senior party leaders, paid obeisance at the historic shrines of Hazrat Shah Farid-ud-Din (RA) and Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din (RA) in Kishtwar.
In these poignant moments, he prayed for the safety, prosperity, brotherhood and unity of the region and for a future filled with harmony.
Earlier, he visited the residence of senior leader Ghulam Haider Sheikh to offer condolences over recent bereavements in the family, before reviewing the relief operations for victims of the devastating Chasoti cloudburst tragedy.
Karra urged the Central Government to immediately announce a special relief and rehabilitation package in view of the large-scale destruction and heavy loss of lives.
JKPCC President, Tariq Hameed Karra, along with senior leaders G. M. Saroori, Ghulam Haider Sheikh, Irshad Ahmed, Usman Bagwan and others, offered prayers at the shrines of Hazrat Shah Farid-ud-Din (RA) and Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din (RA) in Kishtwar, seeking blessings for peace, prosperity and brotherhood in the region.
During his visit, Karra also called on former minister G. M. Saroori at his residence and interacted with party workers.
Addressing them, he urged cadres to remain united, stressing that the Congress party was the only viable alternative before the people.
He also reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue measures in the aftermath of the devastating cloudburst at Chasoti in Paddar, which caused heavy loss of lives and property.
The PCC Chief directed party workers to remain actively associated with relief operations, extend maximum support to the suffering families, and coordinate closely with the administration.
He appreciated the people of the region, NGOs and Congress workers for their selfless role in assisting victims and supporting relief measures during the crisis.
Karra strongly urged the Central Government to announce a special relief and rehabilitation package for Kishtwar, emphasizing that the magnitude of devastation and casualties demanded extraordinary support.
He underlined the need for long-term and sustained rehabilitation for the affected population.
JKPCC Working President, Raman Bhalla also expressed deep grief and sympathies with the victims’ families.
He demanded that the tragedy be declared a national disaster, ensuring comprehensive financial cover and full rehabilitation support for all affected households.
The Congress leadership further advised cadres to maintain close contact with the local population, remain vigilant in view of the prevailing inclement weather, and continue extending help wherever required.
Karra also urged party workers to prepare for intensifying the statehood movement in the coming days and to align with the struggle launched by Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi against electoral irregularities and illegalities.
Senior leaders Naresh Gupta, Sham Lal Bhagat, Sanjeev Panda, Neeraj Gupta, Asif Naqeeb, Jatin Vashisht, Irshad Ahmed, Firdous Mingnoo, Usman Bagwan, Zaffer Sheikh, and others also joined the visit and deliberations.DD
