70 families fleeing Valley chill find refuge in Gujaratis' warmth

AHMEDABAD: A middle-aged woman from Budgam district is among 500 Kashmiris seeking escape from 'Chilai Kalan', among other harsh conditions back home, in the warmth of Gujarati hospitality.

First a victim of militancy and then government apathy, Hajra Begum (55) has had a tough three years.Involved in the tourism industry, Hajra and her husband Sanaullah were assaulted by militants three years ago. "It was my refusal to participate in a rally organised by the militants to protest against an encounter killing that triggered their fury,“ she said, showing injury marks on her limbs and stomach.

Begum was assaulted so badly that even after two surgeries, a complete recovery eludes her. Then came the heavy floods in September last year, in which the couple lost their house. "My house was washed away and before we could manage some accommodation, the winter came. The killing chill is unbearable. The pain increases in winter," said Hajra, a mother of five.

Logdi Butt, a farm labourer, said they shifted to the western state temporarily primarily because of the adverse weather conditions -having ost their house in the floods, he said, they were left shivering in the accom modation allotted by the government to victims of the deluge.

"After a spell of heavy snowfall, our tin-roof house proved inadequate to protect us from the icy winds. The accommodation was given to us after last year's devastating floods," Butt added, "PM Modi announced a package for us recently , but the benefits have not reached us yet."

Butt is happy to get a place to stay in Ahmedabad, but the accommodation here is far from perfect as well. It lacks basic facilities like drinking water and sanitation, and the 70-odd families stay in plastic tents not enough to brave even Gujarat's chill.He pleaded for help from their hosts. "Many kids are not keeping well here. So, we need some food, edible oil, medicines for ailing kids and the elderly, besides blankets," he said.

Sanaullah echoed Butt's request, even as he gushed about the help they have received from the state's people. "Gujaratis are the most friendly people and they treat us like their brothers," he added.