Uri, Mar 02: After spending a week in a makeshift camp in Uri, dozens of displaced families returned to their homes today after authorities reviewed the security situation in the frontier villages.
However, Awan family of Salikote, was not fortunate enough to return their home as their house was razed after an artillery shell hit it.
After serving them last lunch, authorities today allowed around 90 families to return to their homes and provided them transport for moving back.
“We feel jubilant to return to our homes. Though we still fear for our lives, we pray for peace on borders between India and Pakistan,” said Lal Din Khatana of Churanda.
“On behalf of all displaced villagers from eight villages, I extend my gratitude to the government, civil administration, police, non-government organizations, army and traders, besides other locals including our MLA Mohammad Shafi Uri and Dr. Sajad Shafi for their concern and help during these tough times,” added Khatana, who is also Sarpanch of Churanda.
Camp in-charge Javid Budoo said that the families had started to return from yesterday and rest of the families returned on Friday. Free transport facility was provided the displaced families to return to their homes.
“All the families who were staying in a makeshift camp in Government Higher Secondary School Uri have returned to their respective residential houses, except one family of Fayaz Ahmed Awan, a resident of Salikote, Uri,” he added.
The house of Fayaz Ahmed Awan, son of Mohammad-din Awan of Salikote, was destroyed after being hit by an artillery shell. So they were shifted to a Panchayat Ghar at Thajal, which unfortunately has no toilet or bathroom facility.
“When shelling started on last Friday and Saturday, I evacuated my family. Thanks to Allah, my decision was right as few minutes after we had moved out, I saw a shell hitting my house and it was blown into pieces as flames engulfed it,” Awan told Kashmir Images.
“We lost everything except the clothes we were wearing. My dreams are shattered, and so are those of my children and other family members,” Awan said.
Awan has five daughters and a son and is now putting up in the Panchayat Ghar. He wants government to provide him help in reconstruction of his house.
