Chitral floods: Hundreds protest against poor rehabilitation work - Express Tribune
#CHITRAL: Residents of Bomberet and #Rambor valley of #Kalash blocked the Ayun-Bomberet and Ayun-Rambor road to protest against the lack of assistance in wake of floods in the area.
More than 500 people organised a rally and blocked the main routes from 10am to 1pm, chanting slogans and alleging the provincial government has stopped rehabilitation in affected areas.
Leading the protest, Kalash elders Bahram Shah and Qari Muhammad Nasir claimed that since they did not elect a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate in the May elections, they are being neglected and developmental work has stopped.
While addressing the audience, Bahram Shah said more than 600 families in Chitral were affected by the deadly monsoons, with Kalash valley sustaining the most damage as around 15 kilometres of the road was washed away by rainwater. “We have to travel on mules and donkeys as it is impossible for vehicles to pass through the narrow roads that are now left.”
Qari Nasir said he visited Chitral Commissioner Shoaib Jadoon along with other elders to talk about the reconstruction, but the commissioner said there are not enough funds to proceed.
“People now have to pay Rs30 to Rs50 more for every kilogramme of food they purchase as it is brought from other areas,” Nasir said, adding the people are poor and cannot afford this for long.
The protesters warned the government of more demonstrations if the roads are not opened in two days. “We will block the Chitral-Peshawar road if funds are not dispersed immediately, said Nasir.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2013.