Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday expressed solidarity with the shelling affected people of International Border (IB) and LoC assuring them full help and support from the Government at this hour of crises created by ceasefire violations.
“We are with you to share your all difficulties and provide you all possible help”, he told the affected families at R.S. Pura, while addressing them during his visit to shelling affected areas of Jammu, and Samba districts. He visited these areas to interact with affected families, take on the spot appraisal of the situation, receive brief from the pisional administration regarding the measures put in place to provide necessary help to the affected people.The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Legislator and Provincial President National Conference, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana, former Minister and Legislator S.S.Slathia and top brass pisional administration interacted with affected families and heard their narrations regarding the damage caused to life, property and agricultural by the shelling.
Addressing a large gathering of affected people at R.S Pora , Omar Abdullah said that the cease fire agreement between India and Pakistan in 2003 was the highest gift for the people living on International Border and LoC who used to face great trouble due to the shelling and firing till then. He said despite bitterness developing between India and Pakistan on many occasions due to the militancy and terrorist attacks, yet the agreement stood firm and for the last ten years borders and LoC remained peaceful and tranquil.Expressing deep concern over the ceasefire violations, the brunt of which has to be borne by the civilian living near border and LoC areas, the Chief Minister said that “this is in nobody’s interest but only endangers life of people of border areas”. He said he is at a loss to understand when Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif talks of peace and resolution of issues amicably through dialogue then why Pakistan indulges in violation of ceasefire. He said as a Primer Minister of Pakistan, the violation of ceasefire cannot be without his consent. “If that is so then what is the use of talking friendship and dialogue by Pak Premier” he asked the leadership of Pakistan.The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the peace and tranquility will restore on borders and LOC , enabling the people to live their normal life. He praised the border area population for showing highest degree of bravery and safe guarding the borders. He said that his Government, people of Jammu and Kashmir and the Country are with the shelling affected population. “You should not feel alone, we all are with you”, he assured them.
The Chief Minister advised those who want to do politics on miseries of people, to shun this practice and come forward to join with the State and Central Governments to mitigate the difficulties of shelling affected population.The Chief Minister said that the demands put forth by the legislators and Sar-Panches representing border areas have been registered. “In fact we have already discussed these with the Union Home Minister during his recent visit here and are actively pursuing these at the Central level”. He said the issue of recruitment of youth residing in border areas in par military forces and army has also been taken up with the Home Minister. “We have emphasized the need for recruiting the youth of these areas in the army and par- military forces and will continue to stress on it” he maintained. He said a comprehensive proposal for construction of bunkers for civilian population in the affected areas would also be sent to the Central Government soon. He said that he has already asked the concerned to move ahead in this regard.Legislators, Garu Ram and Sham Lal Chaudhry were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister also visited the affected family whose house has been damaged by mortar shell fired by Pak rangers. He also visited Abduliyain frontier village in RS Pora sector and interacted with the families living there. The Chief Minister travelled along the zero line of International Border (IB) from R.S.Pora to Samba and in Pargwal area of Akhnoor tehsil in Jammu district. Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for PHE, Sham Lal Sharma, Legislator and Provincial President National Conference, Jammu, Davinder Singh Rana and Legislator Ashwani Kumar Sharma visited GMC, Jammu and interacted with the injured persons from border shelling. He wished them early recovery and directed the medical authorities to provide best possible treatment to the injured persons.The Chief Minister also directed the pisional Administration to be at the beck and call of shelling hit population and provide them all possible assistance.