Kids risk lives on way to Doda schools

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 28

While the government is thinking of creating smart cities and opening reputed institutions in the state to give a boost to education, children in Doda have to face hardships and travel several kilometres on foot in difficult conditions to attend school.

They have to cross streams and pass through landslide-prone areas on the way, posing a threat to their lives.

Neither the administration nor the government is doing nothing and the roads and paths are in a bad condition.

Recent rain has worsened the situation, affecting the people badly. Some of the areas are continuously witnessing landslides and sinking of land and people have been left to the mercy of God.

Barshala, Ponda and Bhelli are some of the hamlets located on the Doda-Bharat road which are in a bad condition and students have to move through areas which are prone to shooting stones.

“Students have to walk miles through landslide debris and sinking roads to reach schools and exam centres, putting their lives at risk. Many villages are sinking and the land is sliding. People are not able to sleep because of the impending threat. Leave aside relief and rehabilitation, not a single word of sympathy for the people has come from the Centre or the state government,” said Babur-ul-Islam, a Doda-based lawyer. He has formedthe group ‘Ababeel’ to help the needy.

The story of neglect can be seen everywhere in the erstwhile Doda district, commonly known as the Chenab valley. It has been suffering for the past many years.

“After an earthquake in 2013 and more than 100 aftershocks, we witnessed heavy rain in September last year and also for the past three months. All this has led to extensive damage and we have been facing neglect from all quarters,” Babur added.