Tanveer Hussain
Budgam, July 10: A landslide triggered by continuous rainfall has wrought havoc in Najar Mohallah of Khanpora Khag in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, causing massive destruction to both public and emotionally significant infrastructure.
Local sources told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that among the worst affected is the village graveyard, which has been severely damaged, with a large portion collapsing into the nearby irrigation canal. The landslide has not only obliterated this sacred resting place of generations but has also blocked roads, isolating farmers from their fields and paralyzing daily life in the area.
For villagers, the damage is more than physical, it is deeply emotional. Jahangir Najar, a local, expressed his anguish, stating, “Our village graveyard is the resting place of our ancestors. It has been completely destroyed. This is not just a piece of land, it holds deep emotional and cultural significance for us.” His words reflect the grief of a community mourning the loss of a site that connects them to their heritage.
Another resident, Tanveer Hajam, described the situation as dire. “The landslide yesterday, caused by continuous rainfall, has damaged the graveyard, irrigation canal, and roads. Farmers are unable to reach their land. The area is unsafe, yet no help has come,” he said. The ongoing disruption has left villagers helpless and angry.
What has added to the frustration is what locals describe as a long-standing neglect by the authorities. Villagers allege that the District Administration of Budgam ignored repeated warnings and failed to implement safety or development measures in the vulnerable area. Their concerns about potential landslides had been raised before, but no preventive action was taken, leaving them exposed to the current disaster.
The locals urged the District Administration Budgam, the local MLA from Khansahib, and the administration in Khag to visit the site, assess the damage, and take immediate steps to restore what has been lost. Their demands include restoration of the damaged graveyard, repairs to the blocked irrigation canal and roads, and implementation of landslide prevention measures. They are also seeking compensation and support for the affected families.
The villagers have warned that further delay and inaction could result in deeper damage and mounting unrest. For them, this is not just a call for infrastructure repair, it is a plea for dignity, respect, and protection of their heritage and livelihoods. [KNT]
