CM Omar Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia For Kin Of Victims; 20 Families Affected
Srinagar | November, 04: A tragedy struck the Durbal area of Bemina in Srinagar after a massive fire gutted nearly 80 temporary shelters during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, killing two people, including a 16-year-old boy, and leaving several families homeless.
One of the bereaved mothers, whose 16-year-old son died in the blaze, said she received the heartbreaking news around 3 am. “I got the news at 3 in the night that my son was burnt,” she said, breaking down. The boy’s father, Mohammad Rehmet Islam, recalled his last phone call with his son: “He called me in the middle of the night and said, ‘I have come here, but I don’t like it here. I will come to Kupwara in the morning.’ That was the last thing he said to me.” Another survivor recounted losing all belongings: “We had money, jewellery and everything, but it was all burnt. We could not take even a single thing out. We somehow managed to escape with the children.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased, directing authorities to ensure prompt relief. Officials said the deceased were identified as Mohammad Noor Alam (27) and Al Ameen (16), both Delhi natives working as scrap collectors.
District administration officials confirmed that around 20 families were affected and arrangements for food, tents, and blankets were being made. Police have taken cognisance of the incident, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the fire.
