Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh today visited R. S. Pura and took stock of arrangements put in place at the relief camps established at Panchayat Garh Laswara, Government Higher Secondary School Salehar, Gujjar Basti Jajowal and other relief camps for the people affected due to shelling and cease-fire violations in Arnia sector of Jammu district.The Deputy Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary, Vice Chairman State Advisory Board for the Welfare, Development of Scheduled Castes Bushan Lal Dogra, Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu Arun Manhas, besides other senior officers of police and civil administration.Deputy Chief Minister was informed that about 15 camps have been established for affected people of Arnia and sufficient quantity of essential commodities have been distributed among these migrants so far.
Dr Nirmal Singh directed the officers of the district administration to ensure that basic facilities including power supply, water supply, sanitation and others are made at the temporary shelter locations.ADC Jammu apprised that special rescue teams were constituted to evacuate and constantly monitor the situation in these areas around the clock.Dr. Nirmal Singh interacted with the affected people and enquired about the facilities being provided to them at these relief camps.People informed the Deputy CM of various issues confronting them at the camps and sought his immediate intervention in construction of bunkers in affected areas, proper communication facilities in border villages, ensuring education of students besides rehabilitation of disturbed families at safer places.The Deputy CM asked concerned officers to prepare an action plan suggesting what best could be done to ensure education of students in these relief camps. He directed the health department to also facilitate the affected people with basic medical tests.
He also took stock of damage caused to life, property and agriculture due to shelling from across the border. He expressed solidarity with the shelling affected people assuring full support to them from the government at this hour of crisis. The Deputy CM also apprised the migrants that construction of individual bunkers would be constructed soon for the convenience of border area residents.Later, the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh alongwith Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood control Sham Lal Choudhary, police and civil administration visited 192 BN Border Security Force.He interacted with the officers of Border Security Force and lauded their role in protecting the border. He expressed good wishes for jawans and said borders of the country were safe in their hands.He further apprised them that government recognizes their contribution towards national security and is always eager to address their concerns.Dr. Nirmal Singh and Sham Lal Choudhary also paid floral tributes to Border Security Force soldier, constable Brijendra Bahadur Singh who was killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan rangers in Arnia sub-sector of International Border in Jammu district.