Shiv Market Fire: Mehbooba Mufti Demands Urgent Govt Aid for Shopkeepers
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti visits Jammu's Shiv market after a massive fire and urges the government to provide financial aid to affected shopkeepers.
PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti has stepped forward to advocate for the small business owners devastated by the Shiv market fire in Jammu. During a visit to the disaster site on Sunday, the PDP leader witnessed firsthand the wreckage of local enterprises, calling for immediate government intervention to prevent these families from falling into deeper financial ruin.
A Devastating Blow to Small Businesses
While visiting the affected area, Mufti highlighted the severity of the damage, noting that several shops were completely razed by the flames. She emphasized that the victims are not wealthy industrialists but small-scale traders who operate on thin margins and often rely on loans to keep their businesses running.
"There has been immense loss here; moreover, they are small shopkeepers, not very big business owners, who take loans and carry debt... their shops have been completely destroyed," Mufti stated.
Call for Immediate Financial Relief
The PDP chief pointed out a critical detail: much of the inventory that was destroyed had been acquired on credit. This leaves the shopkeepers in a precarious position where they have lost their source of income while still owing money to suppliers.
Mufti urged the government to take an active and swift interest in the recovery process, stressing that the shops cannot remain in ruins. She demanded financial assistance to help the victims:
- Rebuild their physical shop premises.
- Restock their inventory to resume operations.
- Secure a livelihood to support their dependent families.
Looking Back at the Blaze
The tragedy dates back to the early hours of Monday, October 26, when a major blaze erupted at Shiv Market, located opposite the Jammu Railway Station. The fire was catastrophic, resulting in the total destruction of approximately 35 to 40 shops. Fortunately, authorities confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries reported during the incident.
Other Recent Fire Incidents in the Region
The Shiv market disaster follows other distressing fire incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. On August 22, a fire broke out in the Kupwara district at Supernaghama Kralgund, where three residential houses were engulfed in flames. Visuals from that scene showed thick smoke and fire prompting panic among residents, with the Fire and Emergency Services Department confirming the damage to the residential structures.