Residents allege bias in relief distribution Two moderate-intensity tremors were felt in the region around 8:45 am and 12 noon today. The tremors have again brought fear among the people who were trying to gather their lives after the May 1 earthquake. The tremors lasted for a short time. Meanwhile, victims of the May 1 earthquake in the Doda and Bhaderwah areas are alleging bias in relief distribution. The quake victims are alleging that they are not getting due attention from the district administration and are yet to get tents as their houses have been declared unsafe by the survey team deputed by the administration. Around 80 to 90 per cent structures developed minor to major cracks in the 5.8 magnitude earthquake which jolted the Doda and Kishtwar districts. The Red Cross society sent 1,000 tents to the area on the request of Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. But these tents haven’t been distributed to all victims yet. “Our house was declared unsafe for living by the survey team comprising the chief agriculture officer but so far we haven’t received any relief from the administration. The administration is distributing tents to people who have some political or other backing,” alleged Imran Yousuf Tantray, a resident of Ghat, whose house developed big cracks during the earthquake. “We have been visiting the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office and the tehsildar’s office continuously. Each time we return empty-handed,” said Tantray, adding that they had gone to the DC office today also, but their concern was not addressed. Doda DC Mubarak Singh said the tehsildar was looking after the relief-distribution process and nobody had reached him for relief. “We have been visiting both offices but in the absence of the tehsildar, who most of the time is out of his office, nobody paid heed to our demands. I have all required documents, including unsafe certificate, given by the survey team but we haven’t yet got the relief material,” he said. Tehsildar, Doda, Fulail Singh said, “Many people are approaching us for relief. I want to re-check whether those who approach us are genuine. Thereafter, the relief will be distributed among them,” Singh said.