To convey their condolences and express sympathies with the bereaved families who lost their family members in shelling from across the border in Balakote sector of district Poonch, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh and Minister for Public Works, Floriculture and Gardens & Parks, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today visited Balakote area and interacted with the people at village Hamirpur near LoC here.They were accompanied by Member Parliament, Jugal Kishore Sharma and Member Legislative Assembly Haveli, Shah Mohammad Tantray.Deputy Commissioner, Nisar Ahmed Wani, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, A K Attri, Senior Superintendent of Police, J S Johar, SDM Mendhar, Sher Singh, Shamim Dar, Sunil Gupta, Mahroof Khan and Pardeep Sharma also accompanied them.
The shelling on LoC in Balakote and Sawjian sectors in the district resulted in injuring and killing several innocent villagers. Dr Nirmal Singh and Altaf Bukhari conveyed their condolences and sympathized with the next of kin of the innocent civilians who lost their lives and wished early recovery of those who sustained serious injuries.The Deputy Chief Minister while addressing villagers at Hamirpur assured every possible help from government and said that the coalition government is aware of the extreme difficulties that the people living along the LoC face on daily basis. He said bunkers will be constructed in border villages to save human lives in future. He said although there are elements bent upon sabotaging peace initiatives, the government is committed to take all the steps leading to peace.Eulogizing the people living on LOC as the patriots of highest degree, the Deputy CM commended their courage and patriotism adding that their role has been vital in securing national borders against external aggression.Commending their courage to withstand extremely adverse conditions along LoC, the Deputy CM assured adequate compensation to the victims and long term security and welfare measures for people living near LoC.
He also directed Deputy Commissioner to immediately process genuine cases under SRO-43 besides expeditious disposal of ex-gratia to NoKs of the deceased.The Minister of Road and Buildings, Altaf Bukhari while extending condolences to the affected families stated that the state government is already considering issue of comprehensive rehabilitation of the people affected by border shelling. He said apart from constructing permanent bunkers in villages susceptible to repeated LoC firing, the government will provide critical care ambulances in the district so that seriously injured persons can be looked after immediately.Besides, the Ministers also responded to several other grievances of the villagers including power crisis, poor health infrastructure and dilapidated conditions of rural roads. The Deputy Chief Minister and R&B Minister commended the district administration for timely evacuation and rehabilitation of affected people.MP Jugal Kishore who also interacted with the affected families assured them every possible help. He said the Union government is devising a comprehensive strategy for security and welfare of the people.