Wednesday, October 26 2005 12:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Uri (J&K): With roof over their heads gone and a harsh winter round the corner, survivors of the deadly earthquake in this sector are faced with another problem fear phobia.

Aftershocks have further aggravated the situation and almost everyone is apprehensive about their future.

Fear has gripped the people, especially women and children, who escaped the devastation of the earthquake on October 8 as they feel insecure in their villages, the main reason being tardy reconstruction in ravaged hamlets.

Fear still haunts the people who are looking for remedial measures, including doctors and 'peers' (learned religious persons).

"My wife and children are spending sleepless nights over the past fortnight," Arbid Khan of Dachhi village said.

"God has spared my life but the destruction caused by the earthquake has left me shattered," Khan said.

"My family is in a state of shock and our house has turned into a rubble," he added.

"I would have rebuilt my house with my own effort. But my wife and children are afraid that the earthquake might strike again," he said.

Khan said he had already taken his wife and children to the local peer sahib and doctors to overcome the fear problem.

People in other quake hit village's expressed similar apprehensions.

"Whenever my son goes to sleep, he suddenly starts crying and rushes out of the tent," Mohammad Afzal of Kalgai said.

As buildings crumbled before their eyes, the children are afraid to return to their schools in quake-hit areas.

"I had just reached the school when it came down," said 11-year-old Muneer pointing towards the rubble of his middle school building at Dachhi village.

"I feel scared as the deafening crushing sound of stones still rings in my ears," the boy said.

However, his teacher Inayatullah standing nearby was making an effort to dispel the fear from the minds of the students and make them to return to the classes once built again.