Flood-hit people block Chitral-Mastuj road

The protesters kept the road blocked for over eight hours after which they announced to postpone their protest for seven days after MNA Iftikhar Uddin promised that a steel bailey bride would be installed over the river on an emergency basis to restore links with the disconnected villages in the Mulkhow valley. The protesters regretted that despite making repeated promises and announcements, both the provincial and federal governments could not take any step for the rehabilitation of the flood-devastated people. They said that hundreds of families were still living in tents as their damaged houses were yet to be reconstructed. They said as the winter was setting in, the affected people would not be able to reconstruct their houses. Besides, the whole Mukhow valley remained inaccessible as the link bridges washed away by the July-August floods still remained unrepaired. The government’s announcement about the payment of compensation to the owners of the damaged houses has also not been fulfilled. The p[protesters also complained that their elected representatives had failed to take up their issues with the authorities concerned and were also making hollow promises. ]]>