Ramban (Nashband), April 22 — Locals stopped the vehicle of Chief Minister Abdullah during his second visit, urging him to address their concerns over the recent landslides and flooding, with the CM stepping out to assure people that their problems would be addressed soon.
Abdullah’s vehicle was halted for several minutes as locals, expressing frustration over the ongoing crisis, refused to let it proceed.
National Conference MLA from Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, intervened in an attempt to calm the situation.
The CM’s visit was his second to Ramban in two days.
Earlier, he had visited Magor, one of the worst-hit landslide sites on National Highway 44, which has remained blocked since Sunday morning.
Flash floods and landslides earlier this week killed three people, including two minors, when two houses in Bagahana village collapsed.
Later, Abdullah attended a meeting in Ramban with officers, where he was briefed on the extent of the damage and the ongoing restoration efforts.
He told reporters, "We are trying our best to restore the highway as soon as possible. We are arranging ration and water for the people... The DC has been directed to start a 'langar' to provide food."
Abdullah further said that the primary focus was on saving lives.
"We evacuated people and took them to safe areas," he said.
"The restoration work is ongoing, and the single track of the highway will be reopened within 24 hours."
He assured that relief material was being distributed and compensation would be provided according to SDRF and NDRF guidelines once the situation stabilized.