Landslide buries 21 shops in Doda

Our Correspondent

Doda, March 13

At least 21 shops were buried under a massive landslide in the Gandoh area of the mountainous Doda district on Wednesday.

The landslide occurred in the famous Bathri market of Gandoh, 60 km away from the district headquarters, around 4 am and buried 21 shops.

Irked over the delay in rescue work, locals held a protest demonstration against the district administration in the main market.

“Over 20 shops were buried under a massive landslide but even after hours, the district administration has failed to reach the spot to estimate the loss. Except a few policemen, we haven’t seen any official from the civil administration,” a protester said.

Sashastra Seema Bal Commandant Ajay Kumar said: “We acted immediately after we got the information about the landslide in the Gandoh area. Our company commander is on the spot and the rescue operation has been started.”

Meanwhile, Thathri SDM Anwar Bandey said, “In all, 21 shops have been damaged in the landslide. We have sent our team to the spot to estimate the loss. We also pacified the angry protesters and assured them compensation on priority under the State Disaster Response Fund. The Gandoh-Doda road that was blocked after the landslide has also been cleared.”

Doda Deputy Commissioner Sagar D Doifode said, “No loss of life has been reported. I have asked the officials concerned to submit the final report of damages and accordingly, compensation will be given to the affected persons. Some of the shops were illegally constructed and we are looking into that aspect as well.”