Srinagar: There is a sense of urgency in the voice of Imran Nazki, 31, who is among those waiting for a curfew pass at the Srinagar deputy commissioner’s office Saturday.
The urgency is driven by the fact that as treasurer of Ram Bagh-based Cancer Foundation, set up by his brother Sajjad Nazki, Imran has to deliver life-saving medicines to at least 20 critical patients across the Valley.
That has proved a difficult task with the shutdown in place.
Restrictions were relaxed Saturday in order to help people buy essentials for celebrating Eid ul Adha but most like Nazki are convinced that normalcy will not return any time soon.
“Basically our organisation raises money by crowdfunding. Since last Sunday we haven’t been able to do so but that is not the issue at hand,” says Nazki. “We buy medicines for cancer patients and deliver it to them. We also accompany patients to the hospital and hand over the medicines to the doctors treating them. We have been unable to do any of it this week.”
On Saturday afternoon, he decided to take matters in his hands, or at least he thought. “They are giving passes valid for five days. How will that help me? We need it till the restrictions ends,” he says. “I have to visit far off places such as Baramulla, Handwara and Qazigund. How will I reach them or even this DC office without a curfew pass if the situation goes bad on Eid. I will talk to the senior officials myself.”
Nazki’s concerns reflect the growing sentiment here that the easing of restrictions will do little to up spirits ahead of Eid Monday.
Also read: Don’t come home for Eid, a Kashmiri mother tells her son on a one-minute phone call
Fears of violence
While Srinagar Saturday witnessed many flocking to prominent markets to buy baked goods and sheep for Eid Monday, security forces anticipate a potential law and order situation.
In order to avoid congregational prayers turning into demonstrations, it is likely that major mosques will not be allowed to hold the prayers as was done this Friday.
Among the worst hit appears to be the medical sector.
Sheikh Suhail, who owns a medical retail shop in Nawabbazar in Srinagar, has been struggling for a curfew pass much like Nazki.
Suhail has a bulk of his medical supplies go to a neurology clinic in the same area. But with medicine distributors unable to visit his shop this week, he has been looking for passes so he could go to them.
After shuttling from one table to another the DC office, he finally vents his anger at an official. “If you can’t sign the curfew pass, sign the patients death warrant,” he says. The official responds calling for calm. “We are trying to speed things up, please have patience.”
Suhail later tells ThePrint that patients depend on him for the medicines.
“Neurology patients need constant care. Families rely on me, what answers should I give to them?” he asks.
He adds that though restrictions have been relaxed to an extent, he wasn’t sure how things would turn out after Eid — a sentiment shared by an overwhelming number of people here.
“This is Kashmir. Things happen when you least expect them,” Suhail says. “I cant leave the patients’ life to chance.”
Also read: J&K residents not impressed with Modi speech, say opening up Kashmir will hurt state