Year after the Earthquake

KAMALKOTE

In the official records, this is a model village adopted by the state government. But all one can see here as a classic sign is a 6x4 feet block raised at the roadside proclaiming “Model Village Kamalkote”. The rest is shattered heaps of the houses, crumbled under a devastating earthquake in living memory that struck this region on October 8, last year.

Even after one year of the earthquake, life here seems far from normal. Single room tin-sheds, which the residents use as their shelter-houses is all that has come up in this village in the past one year. People tell terribly familiar stories of loss and deprivation.

KAMALKOTE is a vast village sparsely located on a mountainous landscape of Qazi Naag. It is connected with the tehsil headquarters of Uri by a 24-km long road. With sharp bends and curves, most part of the road is rundown, and the danger of skidding off the bend and falling hundreds of feet into flashing river Jehlum beneath always hangs around while traveling on the road.

Of 667 deaths in entire URI belt, 306 had taken place in KAMALKOTE quarter alone. Official statistics say that 1871 residential houses and other structure had crumbled down in the earthquake.

“Rs.40,000 has been paid to every affected family as the first installment to raise their houses. The second installment of Rs.30,000 is being distributed from September 28”, says Sub Divisional Magestrate Bashir Ahmad Dar. He however added that the second installment would be paid only to those people, who have raised their houses upto plinth level.

“How would we build our houses? It costs us between Rs.18000—20000 to get a truck-load of bricks here, which is available for even less than Rs.10,000 at other places”, says Mohammad Yousuf Khan, sarpanch of the village. “A cement bag costs over Rs.350 here”, he adds.

In the entire Kamalakote village just one structure has been raised above the plinth level. The structure, which belongs to a widow Hashim Bhi, is being constructed by the local Masjid Committee. The scene at other patis (sectors) of the village including Sultan Dhaki, Dachi, Chappar, Dulanga, Paranpeela and Sarai Bandi is no different.

The residents of Kundi Burjala are facing even worse problem. Located three km ahead on the mountain top, a foot-path connects the village with Kamalkote. “We have to pay additional cost of head-loading the material to our village”, said Ghulam Patti of Kundi Burjala. “And a truck-load of bricks costs us further Rs.5000”, he adds. Forty people had died in the village and 151 structures were smashed in the earthquake.

“The government cannot build houses for each individual. We can provide relief, and that we have provided very generously. The people to stand up on their own and with encouragement and facilities from the government have to overcome their problems”, says Taj Mohiuddin, minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, who represent Uri constituency in the state assembly.