People from several villages declared as red zones and buffer zones by the authorities in Hajin town of this district on Tuesday complained shortage of essentials. “The supply of food, milk and medicine is drying up after our area was declared as red-zone. We are now facing acute shortage of these and other essentials,” said a local Irshad Ahmad from Gundjehangir village. “Our neighboring villagers also don’t allow us to enter their areas for concerns that our village is red zone. At times we are being abused and beaten” he said. During last one month, dozens of persons from Gundjehangir were detected COVID19 positive. These included a family whose one family member died due to COVID19 infection. Following rise in the case, the authorities declared the village as red zone and adjoining areas as buffer zone to stop spread of the virus. Another local from Naidkhai village, also a red zone, echoed the concerns about shortage of essential commodities.“My wife suffers from a severe headache for which she needs regular medication. However, with area sealed, I am not able to get the medicines for her as our village is sealed from all sides. Not even a medical shop is allowed to open. When we try to go to other villages for buying medicine, we are being beaten,” said Farooq Ahmad Bhat.The red zone villages include Konan, Gund Qaiser, Gund Dechina, Hakbara, Madvan, Pethkoot, Chandergeer, Batagund, Gundjehangir and Naidkhai.On Tuesday this reporter received dozens of calls from residents of these zones about shortage of essentials.“There should be a proper way to sort out this issue. People are suffering a lot. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure availability of the essentials in the red and buffer zones,” said another local.Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for coronavirus control in Bandipora said he has asked police to allow local shopkeepers to open their shops in turns.
