The PTUDC relief and rescue efforts in Kashmir continue to expand. We have set up a medical camp in a devastated village outside Rawalakot. Two doctors who arrived from Hyderabad (Sindh) are operating the camp. The Paramedical Workers’ Association in Kasur has sent medicine and surgical equipment to help with the relief effort.

All the messages of international solidarity have been read out in all of the PTUDC camps. The comrades have drawn up a resolution expressing their gratitude to the International Marxist Tendency for their concern, support and revolutionary solidarity in this traumatic situation that the comrades in Kashmir are enduring.

A revolutionary Solidarity Committee has been elected to coordinate the rescue and relief operations throughout Kashmir. It is composed of 42 comrades who will be responsible for the work in the different districts and towns of Kashmir.

Messages of support for the PTUDC’s rescue and relief efforts have also come from across the line of control in Indian-held Kashmir from Mohammad Yousaf Taragami, the General Secretary of the Kashmir CPI (M).

Mr. A.R Shaheen, a Member of the Lok Sabaha (Indian Lower House of Parliament) from Baramula (Indian-held Kashmir), is to arrive at the Wagha border to lead the PTUDC Solidarity Caravan that begins its journey from Kasur to Kashmir tomorrow. This caravan is being organized and led by Comrade Manzoor Ahmed, president of the PTUDC and Member National Assembly of Pakistan. In a statement today he has condemned and protested against the Pakistani regime for not issuing visas to several Indian doctors and left-wing activists who want to come to Kashmir and participate in the rescue and relief operations. This has been reported on the front page of the daily Dawn and other newspapers. Meanwhile, two more PTUDC relief camps were setup yesterday in the important Kashmiri towns of Kotli and Hajira.

Seven hundred copies of the new edition of the Class Struggle (Urdu) have been distributed amongst the affected people. There has been an enthusiastic response on the Marxist position and analysis of this tragedy especially from the youth.

Revolutionary banners and red flags have been put up in the camps and apart from the physical rescue efforts the comrades are trying to help people with the psychological trauma by discussing with them the revolutionary way out of this tragedy and misery. The PTUDC has also issued 500 identification cards for its workers who are involved in this project to ensure security and safety.

Our rescue and relief operation is moving forward. Over the course of the next few days we will publishing further reports about the situation on the ground and the activities of the PTUDC. We will also be publishing further information on our financial appeal, which has been an amazing success. The response from around the world has been truly inspiring, and we hope that more donations will continue to flow in! As our relief and rescue operation grows, and as our medical camps begin to receive more and more people in need, we will need to maintain a decent supply of goods and resources. Please give whatever you can to help those who need it most! 

October 17, 2005

 
For more information on how to make a donation please see:
Pakistan earthquake: an appeal for the Kashmiri workers