COVID-19: Two Pulwama families in dire straits after bread-earner’s death

PULWAMA — COVID-19, the deadly pandemic which has claimed over 4000 lives in Jammu and Kashmir, has also left several families in dire straits as many lost their sole bread earner.

One such lone bread-earner was Showkat Ahmad, a 40-year-old businessman from Murran Pulwama who contracted the virus and died a few days after undergoing treatment at District Hospital Pulwama.

Showkat was the only person of a seven-member family who was earning and feeding the rest of them. And with his death, the whole family is devastated.

His father who is now in his 70’s is now in a very distressed situation as he is unable to understand how he will take care of the family when there is no source of income.

Showkat has left behind three daughters, wife and old parents.

In a similar incident, a family from Putrigam Pulwama lost their 28-year-old daughter, who was the mother of two children.

She has left behind a six-month-old baby girl and a five-year-old son. It is now her husband who is taking care of two minors due to which he is unable to earn anything.

The families have appealed to the LG-led government to provide financial assistance to them so that they can educate their children and care for them properly.