Minister for Health and Medical Education, ARI and Trainings, Ch Lal Singh today visited border villages of Hiranagar, district Kathua to take stock of damage caused by cross border firing.He visited villages Manyari, Gujjar Chak, Chandey Chak, Kadwal, Patti Marru and Boobia and interacted with people there.The Minister was accompanied by MLA Hiranagar, Kuldeep Raj, Director Health Services, Dr. Baljeet Singh Pathania, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Hiranagar, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Basant Kumar besides other police and civil officers.
Expressing his sympathies with affected families, Lal Singh said that government was fully aware of their problems and is planning to establish a township at a safe distance from the border for their safety.The Minister assured all necessary help from the government, and directed civil administration and the police to be vigilant and to ensure safety of the people. He also directed Sub-Divisional Magistrate to submit a report on loss suffered by villagers, so that relief could be given to the affected under norms.The Minister also directed concerned officers to remain present in their respective jurisdictions to deal with any emergency effectively. He also asked the people in the area to remain vigilant and also advised them to stay indoors, at safe place during cross border shelling.
The villagers also apprised the Minister about various issues including construction of permanent concrete bunkers for every household, inclusion of border areas in RBA category, increase in compensation given to persons killed in cross border firing, etc.Later, the Minister also visited Primary Health Centre, Mahreen and inspected healthcare facilities available there.Responding to demands of the locals, the Minister asked Director Health Services to post one physician in the hospital to ensure better healthcare for people in the area. He also directed the concerned to provide one dental chair and a X-ray machine to the hospital, and called for giving facelift to the hospital building.