Jammu, Nov 8 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited the fire-ravaged Shiv Market near Jammu Railway Station on Sunday to assess damage from a blaze that gutted dozens of shops last month.
Mehbooba arrived in Jammu on Saturday, on her first trip to the winter capital since being unanimously re-elected party president for her fifth consecutive term on November 5. She is scheduled to return to Srinagar on Monday.
During her visit to Shiv Market, Mehbooba met with the affected shopkeepers, expressed solidarity, and offered her sympathy for the losses suffered in the fire. She supported their demand for a special relief and rehabilitation package to help them rebuild their businesses and restore their livelihoods, a party leader said.
The massive fire broke out in Shiv Market on the night of October 25 and continued for several hours, engulfing at least 40 shops and destroying property worth crores of rupees.
The PDP chief assured the affected traders of her support and stressed the need for appropriate assistance to help them overcome the financial losses and resume their commercial activities.
Later, Mehbooba visited Balgram, a charitable home for destitute and underprivileged children in Jammu’s Narwal area, where she celebrated Diwali with the inmates. She spent around an hour at the institution, participated in Diwali celebrations and shared lunch with the children, the leader said.
She also interacted with the inmates and management members, who apprised her of various issues concerning the institution, including its lease and the children’s welfare. Mehbooba assured the management that she would take up the issues with the concerned authorities to ensure the institution’s continued functioning and a safe and secure future for the children, the PDP leader said.
Earlier, upon her arrival in Jammu, the leader said senior party leaders, office-bearers and workers accorded Mehbooba a warm welcome, gathering to greet the PDP chief.
Party functionaries expressed their enthusiasm over her visit coinciding with Diwali celebrations and reaffirmed their support for her leadership, he said.
