Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, chaired a high level meeting with officers of civil administration, Police, BSF and Para Military to review the security situation, health and veterinary services being provided in border districts of Jammu region in the wake of cross border tension here today.Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu, Danish Rana, IG BSF D K Upadhyaya, IG CRPF Kuldeep Dhar, DIG Jammu-Kathua range Ashkoor Ahmad Wani, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Simrandeep Singh, Deputy Commissioner Samba Sheetal Nanda, SSP Samba Joginder Singh, SSP Security Jammu, Ramesh Angral, Director Animal Husbandry Department Jammu Dr S K Abrol and Director Health Services Jammu Dr G S Soodan attended the meeting.Deputy Commissioner Kathua Ramesh Kumar and SSP Kathua Pawan Parihar attended the meeting through video conferencing.IG BSF briefed the meeting about the prevailing situation on International Border and said that BSF is on high alert and retaliating to the provoked firing from across the border .While briefing about the role of CRPF in present scenario, IG said that adequate number of CRPF jawans have been deployed for patrol especially during night and on nakas on all vital points on National Highways. He further said that they are working in coordination with state police to ensure foolproof security .IGP Jammu informed the Deputy Chief Minister that police is constantly in touch with BSF and district administration so that the people of border areas can be evacuated to safer places in case of exigency. He said that all SSPs and other senior officers have been instructed to visit border areas regularly to meet people and help them to shift to the safer places keeping in mind present tense situation on border.
He also apprised the meeting that adequate number of police force has been deployed at nakas on national highways and on all border roads linked to it to keep close check on vehicles coming from neighbouring state.While discussing the arrangements put in place by the health services department, Deputy Chief Minister asked the Director to deploy adequate number of doctors with staff at all the government hospitals in the area and sufficient number of ambulances should be placed there to shift injured people to the hospitals without wasting time.All the DCs and SSPs were asked to remain vigilant round the clock and to ensure evacuation of people to safer places with adequate arrangements at established relief camps.Director AHD apprised the meeting that so far 162 cattle have been injured while many have been killed . He said that the necessary medical treatment is being provided to the injured cattle and additional staff including veterinary doctors and other staff have been put on alert in the area falling in danger zone and have been asked to provide best possible treatment to the injured cattle.
Addressing the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister informed that the government has released Rs 15 Lakh from the Chief Minister Relief Fund as a relief to the owners of cattle killed in border firing as per SDRF norms. He also said that sufficient fund has also been released to provide treatment to the injured cattle.Dr Singh directed the Animal Husbandry department to keep available the stock of necessary drugs for the treatment of cattle with them.Status of construction work of community bunkers under pilot project in border villages was also reviewed during the meeting. It was decided in the meeting that issue of construction of individual household bunkers will be taken up with the centre government.Dr Singh asked the officers especially DCs and SSPs to put the administrative machinery on alert and remain vigilant round the clock keeping in mind present security scenario and upcoming festival of Diwali. He asked them to ensure evacuation of people to safer places and ensure basic amenities including medicare facilities, food, sanitation and other arrangements are put in place at the camps established. He stressed for proper and timely treatment of injured cattle to save the livestock of villagers.