Northlines reporter’s question sparks tense exchange over who helped Gorkha Nagar first
By Ashu Kumar/Ruhani Sahwney
Jammu, Tawi | August 30
What began as a youth-driven initiative to tackle the post-flood devastation in Gorkha Nagar has now triggered a wave of administrative activity, political visits, and heated public debate — all following Northlines’ report titled “The Real Rescue Team: Gorkha Nagar’s Young Volunteers.”
After the Tawi River floodwaters receded, Gorkha Nagar in Ward No. 48 was left in ruins — with homes flooded, roads choked in layers of mud, and access to basic amenities cut off. One of the worst-affected areas was the cremation path, which remained inaccessible due to debris and waterlogging.
While the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) had deployed a single JCB, its large size made it ineffective in the narrow bylanes of the locality. Local residents reported that JMC workers arrived but left without completing the work, as the equipment could not reach the worst-hit interior areas.
Amid this administrative vacuum, the Gorkha Nagar Jagran Youth Committee took matters into their own hands. Using personal networks and local support, the youth arranged their own JCB, cleared the cremation path, and cleaned out flooded homes — all without political or administrative backing.
“We didn’t wait for any political party or leader,” a youth committee member told Northlines. “We did what had to be done — on our own, for our people.”
The report quickly gained attention. Within 48 hours, Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Ansuya Jamwal visited the affected locality to assess the situation firsthand. Following her visit, she issued directives to JMC officials to accelerate cleanup efforts and ensure full support to residents, including restoration of water supply, sanitation, and distribution of relief materials.
In response, several NGOs arrived in Gorkha Nagar, providing food, drinking water, clothes, and daily essentials to the flood-affected residents — further amplifying the impact of the youth committee’s groundwork.
However, tensions rose when MLA Vikram Randhawa, representing the Bahu constituency, visited the area. During an interaction with Northlines reporter Ruhani Sahwney, the MLA strongly disputed the youth committee’s claims and appeared visibly agitated by the line of questioning.
“This is my constituency. I sent the JCB. I am monitoring everything,” Randhawa said. “People should be ashamed of politicizing even a flood. The administration and I are working together — the credit is ours.”
He further explained the lack of drinking water in the area, attributing it to damaged tube-wells that were impacted by the flood.
“Repairs are underway. I will make sure water supply is restored as soon as possible,” he added.
While Randhawa defended the administration’s role, locals and youth volunteers continue to stand by their efforts, asserting that it was their initiative that first mobilized real action.
“We acted when no one else did. If our actions inspired others to help, that’s a win for the people — not a moment for politics,” said one youth volunteer.
The unfolding events in Gorkha Nagar reflect a deeper truth: when citizens lead, systems are forced to respond. Political credit may remain in dispute, but one fact is clear — it was the youth who were first on the ground, not for headlines, but for humanity.
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