Militant Looting Leaves Indian Villagers Hungry

The Gulab Garh village of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has rough terrain and is virtually isolated without any suitable roads.

Here residents have to walk several kilometers to buy rations from a government dealer, and use ponies to carry the sacks. But on their way back, there is trouble…

[Mohd. Subhan Malik, Gulab Garh villager]:
“They are intercepted by militants who loot the ration. These militants have hideouts in hills and forests. Poor people don't have money to purchase food everyday, so they have to remain hungry.”

The militants regularly get a free feed, as security forces cannot reach the village, due to the lack of suitable infrastructure. A road linking Gulab Garh to a nearby village called Angrala is still under construction.

[Abdul Rashid, Sub Divisional Magistrate]:
"A road has been proposed from Gulab Garh to Angrala. The total length of the proposed road is 28 kilometers, out of which 10 kilometers of road has been constructed. The work for the completion of this road is in full swing."

Many of the far-flung regions of India lack connecting routes. Residents living in these places face countless difficulties, having to walk long distances to reach the nearest road.