District Development Commissioner Poonch, Mohammad Harun Malik and Commander, 120 Infantry Brigade, H S Sahai visited villages on LoC in Balakote area of Mendhar Sub-Division and laid foundation stone of a Multi-Purpose Check Dam which will be built by the Civil Administration in technical collaboration with the Army.A grievance redressal camp was also organised on the occasion in which DDC took stock of the developmental and security issues of the people living near LoC in Dharati and Bharuti villages.Senior officers of the district administration including ACD, CEO PDA, Executive Engineers of PHE and PDD, CMO, CAHO, CHO, Dy CEO besides SDPO Mendhar and Tehsildar Balakote accompanied the DDC.The DDC assured redressal of issues raised by the villagers regarding shortage of staff at Primary Health Centre, Ambulance service, up gradation of High School Bharuti, establishment of Police Chowki, adequate water and power supply, improving road connectivity etc.
The villagers also urged the Army and Civil Administration to move the border fencing to zero point on the LoC so that frequent movement of villagers especially in emergent situations is not hindered.The DDC and the Commander assured the villagers hassle free movement across the fencing. Mr. Harun also announced an additional assistance of Rs. 5000 from Red Cross to the injured of mortar shelling from across the LoC in recent times.Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had earlier in a high level meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh in November 2015, instructed the Army to designate nodal officers to facilitate hassle free movement of villagers living near LoC.Meanwhile, Mr. Harun has directed the officers of PHE, PDD, Health, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry to pay frequent visits to the villages on LoC and ensure presence of field staff to address the grievances of the people at their door steps.