Budgam, July 25 (JKNS): The elderly father of late Shabir Ahmad Paswal, a resident of Drang village in the Khag area of Budgam district, has made an emotional appeal to the Jammu and Kashmir Administration, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Omar Abdullah-led Government, NGOs, charitable organisations, and kind-hearted citizens to come forward and support his family following the tragic death of his only son in the recent flash floods.
Shabir Ahmad Paswal, who had recently got married, was swept away by the strong currents of the Ashrea Nallah during heavy rainfall. After an extensive search operation carried out jointly by the civil administration, police, rescue teams, and local volunteers, his body was recovered.
According to the family, Shabir was the only son of his elderly parents and the sole breadwinner of the household. He is survived by his aged father, elderly mother, young widow, and four sisters. The family said that Shabir’s nearly 90-year-old father underwent major surgery last year and has since been unable to work.
With tears in his eyes, Shabir’s father said:”Shabir was my only son. He was the pillar of our family and carried all our responsibilities. At this age, I depended entirely on him. I have four daughters, and today I have lost my only son. I do not know how my family will survive now.”»
The family said that with Shabir’s death, their only source of income has come to an end.”Our only earning member is gone. The kitchen that depended on his earnings has fallen silent,” the family said.»
A close relative of the deceased said that social media has become the only platform through which the voices of poor and helpless families are reaching the authorities and the public.
«”We hoped government officials and relief agencies would visit this grieving family and share their pain, but no one has come so far,” the relative said.»
The relative further stated that although senior government officials visited several flood-affected areas, no official reached the family’s remote Gujjar settlement during the initial days after the tragedy. He urged the administration to personally assess the family’s condition and extend immediate relief.
Shabir’s father has appealed to the Deputy Commissioner Budgam, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Jammu and Kashmir Government to visit their home, assess their situation, and provide immediate compensation, financial assistance, and rehabilitation.
He also appealed to NGOs, charitable organisations, and philanthropists across Kashmir to extend humanitarian support, saying:
«”I have lost my only son, who was my only support. My wife, my daughter-in-law, and my four daughters have been left helpless. I appeal to the administration, charitable organisations, and all generous people to stand with us in this difficult time and not forget this family.”»
The family has urged the government to consider their case on humanitarian grounds and provide immediate relief, adequate compensation, and long-term rehabilitation so that the elderly parents, young widow, and four sisters can rebuild their lives after this irreparable loss.
Local residents have also appealed to the authorities to ensure that families living in remote Gujjar habitations receive equal attention, timely assistance, and fair compensation during natural disasters, without any discrimination. (JKNS)
