ATMS RUN DRY AFTER VIOLENCE

NEWDELHI: People in violence-hit Shiv Vihar and Mustafabad areas in northeast Delhi complained of cash crunch in ATMS on Sunday as they lined up to withdraw money from the machines. They said the machines were either not working or not refilled with cash.

Kailash Kumar, who lives in Mustafabad, said his family plans to leave for their hometown in Ghazipur area in the aftermath of the violence, but could not withdraw cash for travel.

“We remained inside our house for three days. Today, when I came to withdraw money from an ATM, I returned empty-handed. Most ATM kiosks in the area are shut,” he said. Mohammad

Alam, 27, a mobile recharge shop owner in Shiv Vihar, said his shop remained shut for the last four days.

“Business has been hit. People don’t have cash, but we have been receiving help from well-wishers,” he said.

Many drove to the area from various parts of Delhi, carrying sacks of ration and milk cans in their vehicles. Vijay Kumar, a 32-year-old plumber from the neighbourhood, said he could not withdraw money to buy essentials. “My friend lent me some cash which I used to buy items of daily use,” he said. People in the area said banks have largely remained shut following the violence on February 24 and 25.

were blown into pieces,” said a sub-divisional magistrate who was on a field survey in the riothit areas on Sunday.

North-east district magistrate Shashi Kaushal said she will chair a review meeting with officials to find solutions to all challenges. Relief measures and compensations are priority issues, she added.