Date:07/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/07/stories/2008080754961400.htm

National

Problems galore for Jammu residents

Luv Puri

Even as curfew continues, there is shortage of essential goods

Jammu: Jammu on Wednesday resembled a garrison town with the heavy deployment of the Army, police and Rapid Action Force to ward off violent protests over the cancellation of the order on transfer of land to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.

Even as curfew continued, people had to face a lot of problems. There was shortage of essential goods as supply has been affected due to a sense of insecurity along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, the only road link of the State with the rest of the country. Most of the essentials such as vegetables, rice, wheat and milk come from neighbouring Punjab.

As protesters have turned violent along the highway, many contractors have cancelled supply orders. “Vegetables are perishable. Therefore, no delay can be borne by us,” said one of them.

In the mornings, when curfew restrictions are relaxed, a near-stampede is observed at places where milk and other goods are sold. “The government should open ration depots so that common people could get their ration. It is the first week of the month, and in the normal course people have stock of essential commodities for only up to the end of the month,” says Sohail Kazmi, editor of a local daily.

The worst sufferers are students who have finished schooling and are preparing for competitive exams for professional courses. There is a lingering fear that one full academic year will go waste. “Tuition centres have been closed for the last several days. And rail and road links with the rest of the country have been disrupted. Most of our test centres are either in Delhi or Chandigarh,” said a student.

The problems of Vaishno Devi pilgrims are lesser compared to others. The region hosts 75 lakhs pilgrims every year and the pilgrimage is the lifeline to the region’s economy. Few private transporters are plying vehicles and the pilgrims have only few means to reach Katra, base camp to the Vaishno Devi shrine.

The pilgrims leave in the morning in a cavalcade escorted by security forces from the local base camp here and the administration has made full-proof arrangements for them.