Usman Majid visits Bandipora fire victims, urges LG, CM to compensate fire-hit traders in Bandipora. Former MLA Bandipora, Usman Majid, visited traders affected by a devastating fire that gutted dozens of shops in the main market of Bandipora, and urged the administration to provide immediate compensation to the victims. The fire, which broke out on Thursday, razed around 35 shops, reducing years of investment and livelihoods to ashes. Locals said the blaze spread rapidly, leaving traders little time to salvage goods. Fire and emergency services managed to bring the flames under control, with the damage estimated to run into several crores of rupees, leaving many shopkeepers facing financial ruin. Majid interacted with affected traders, expressing concern over what he described as repeated market-fire incidents in north Kashmir and the absence of a robust relief mechanism. He appealed to Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah to announce an immediate compensation package, including ex-gratia relief and soft loans, to help traders restart their businesses. Majid also called for a detailed inquiry into the cause of the fire and stressed the need to upgrade fire-safety infrastructure in congested market areas. He said, “These traders are the backbone of the local economy. Delayed relief will only deepen their distress.” Traders demanded swift compensation, temporary rehabilitation, and long-term measures to prevent such incidents in the future.