NC busy in politics while disaster victims suffer: Basant Raj Thakur

• Basant Raj Thakur demands immediate relief, rehabilitation for Thathri cloudburst victims

JAMMU: Senior BJP leader and BJP Jammu & Kashmir VDG Cell Convenor Basant Raj Thakur, on the directions of the senior BJP leadership, visited the cloudburst-affected areas of Thathri in Doda district to assess the ground situation following the devastating cloudburst that struck on the night of July 5. After interacting with affected families, local residents, officials, and civil society members, he submitted a detailed ground report to the party leadership. BJP State Executive Member Rajesh Gupta and other senior leaders also accompanied Basant Raj Thakur during the visit.

Basant Raj Thakur said that the scale of destruction in Thathri is deeply distressing and demands immediate, sustained intervention from the government. He said that nearly five houses have been completely washed away, leaving several families homeless, who are presently taking shelter in the Government High School, Thathri. He added that around thirty shops have suffered extensive damage, causing financial losses estimated between ₹2 crore and ₹3 crore, severely impacting the livelihoods of local traders.

Basant Raj Thakur said that the district administration, including the Deputy Commissioner, SDM, Tehsildar, SHO Thathri, and officials from various departments, along with civil society organizations and local volunteers, have been working tirelessly day and night to provide food, blankets, medicines, relief material, and other essential assistance to the affected families. He appreciated their dedicated efforts during this humanitarian crisis.

Launching a sharp attack on the National Conference government, Basant Raj Thakur said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his government have completely failed to stand with the people during their hour of distress. He said that while innocent families are struggling for survival and rehabilitation, not a single senior National Conference leader or minister has visited the affected area to share the grief of the victims or oversee relief operations.

Basant Raj Thakur said that the National Conference leadership remains busy pursuing political agendas on issues like statehood while neglecting the immediate concerns of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He said that governance is not about making political statements but about standing with citizens when they face tragedy. The complete absence of ministers from the disaster-hit area reflects the insensitive and disconnected approach of the present government towards public welfare.

Basant Raj Thakur further said that another alarming issue brought to his notice was the indiscriminate dumping of construction debris into natural drains, water channels, and even the Chenab River. He said that such irresponsible practices are blocking natural water flow, increasing environmental stress, and significantly raising the risk of future floods and disasters. He also expressed concern over the release of water from nearby hydroelectric projects, which has created additional anxiety among residents living along the Chenab riverbanks.

Basant Raj Thakur urged the concerned authorities to provide adequate compensation and comprehensive rehabilitation to every affected family without delay. He called for scientific debris management, restoration of natural drainage systems, strict monitoring of construction activities, and the implementation of effective disaster mitigation measures to safeguard Thathri and other vulnerable areas from similar tragedies in the future.