Normal life went out of gear in Kashmir Valley on Monday on the first anniversary of the devastating floods, which was marked as a protest against the alleged indifferent attitude of the State and Central Governments towards the victims of the massive devastation. Groups of traders had initially called for the shutdown that was supported by separatists, Opposition National Conference, traders, hoteliers and private schools.
Chief Minister Sayeed conceded that gaps existed in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process and exhorted that these gaps should be filled at the earliest.
"Rehabilitation of the flood-affected continues to be a work in progress, but there are still gaps in the entire rehabilitation and reconstruction process which need to be filled at the earliest," Sayeed said while chairing a meeting of the State Cabinet here.
The authorities thwarted traders' plan to stage a sit-in at historic lal Chowk citing issues related to law and order. Several trade leaders including Showkat Chowdhary and Yasin Khan were detained. The authorities also put prominent separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik under house detention.
Normal life was almost paralysed as shops, business establishments, banks and educational institutions were closed and traffic was scarce on roads. The Government, semi-government offices, banks, universities and other institutions recorded minimal attendance as public transport was off the roads. Kashmir University had postponed all its examinations.
The traders are sore over the alleged failure of the Central and State Governments in rehabilitating the flood victims despite making promises in the past. Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Sheikh Ashiq condemned the State Government's action against traders.
"The detention of trader bodies' leaders was unwarranted. It was our democratic right to protest over the Government's failure to resurrect Kashmir’s economy and reach out to the sufferers. The police action is condemnable," Ashiq said.
Several local English newspapers had published special issues on the first anniversary of the floods, highlighting the miseries of victims and their struggle to survive.
The worst floods in a century, which were triggered after incessant rainfall for six days in Kashmir last year, had hit the summer capital during the night intervening September 6 and 7. Experts on water management say that massive devastation was avoidable had the State authorities taken preventive measures and paid heed to weather advisories. They say that devastation of thousands of years old city in floods was unprecedented in the history of humankind.
The flood victims complain that the Government offered them paltry amounts in the name of relief packages. Many families whose homes and hearths were destroyed received an amount of Rs2,300 or Rs3,800.
Following the floods, the then Omar Abdullah-led NC-Congress coalition had proposed Rs44,000 crore relief package. In July, the Central Government announced a financial package of Rs1,667 crore, which was described as "cruel joke" by the traders.
The major relief that reached the flood victims was from the insurance companies. On the directions of State High Court, which were upheld by the apex court, the insurance companies were asked to pay compensation to the insured flood victims. A whopping amount of Rs24,000 crores has been reimbursed by the insurance companies.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Naeem Akhtar, who is also the State Government spokesman, quoted CM as having told the Cabinet meeting that reconstruction of the flood-ravaged infrastructure has been taken up on full scale.
Without naming Opposition NC and Congress, the Chief Minister said he was deeply saddened by the puerile comments of those who procrastinated when in power and were primarily responsible for the colossal damage to the life and property. "The same people who were responsible for compounding the miseries of the people during the deluge because of their inaction are now trying to score brownie points over the people's tragedies," he said.
Sayeed said the State Government has got down to a time-bound plan of action for providing relief to the uninsured flood-affected people.