Clustered colonies, scarcity of food major threats to residents

New Delhi: At the clustered areas of Delhi's Jahangirpuri, one of the biggest hotspot in the city, people are struggling with food, medicines and COVID-19 tests, which they say still haven't happened. The areas of Block – B and C were sealed after 31 members of a family were tested positive of Covid-19.

In Block - C of the area, amidst narrow lanes people are cluttered outside their homes. The area is sealed but somehow a space has been created for movement. "We were given ration last month, which was dal and rice. There are no vegetables as they are not allowed to come here. We are on our fasts due to Ramadan, what are we supposed to eat," asked Saba, a resident. Meanwhile, Saif's father is suffering from

kidney stone and has major medical issues. "We have been trying to contact SDM and the SHO officer but were not given any sort of help. Many people here need medicines, how are we to get it," he told the correspondent.

A few feet away COVID cases were found, but the residents claim they still have not been tested. "Few were tested, but their reports are negative. none of us have symptoms else we would have gotten some hint," said Arif.

Residents in the area were frustrated with the lack of facilities, especially during the Ramadan. Begum and her husband are a family of 13 people and have been struggling with food. Begum's house is on the main road, where she sat cooking for her family. With hardly any dal left, she is saying that they sometimes get cooked meal, while ration is scarce.

Meanwhile, Saleem Khan her husband sat in a corner. He said that as mostly people are daily wage workers they have no financial support. "We get some amount of money from our children's school. However, when we came to collect it we were sent back saying the money will be received after 3 months," he said.

Like Khan, many families made the same claim adding that the officials refused to entertain them as they were from a hotspot area. "We were told that none of us would be given any money. They even refused to talk to us properly saying these people belong to C- Block," said Chutki.