Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday held a meeting with deputy commissioners from border districts of the state to assess the ground situation in the wake of the cross-border shelling by Pakistani troops.
Abdullah had chaired a similar meeting on Wednesday to assess the preparedness of the government along the Line of Control and border areas of the Union Territory.
In a post on X on Thursday, Abdullah said, “Held another meeting today with deputy commissioners of border districts to assess the ground situation. Coordinated efforts are being made to ensure seamless provision of essential facilities”.
He said adequate medical facilities and staff are being mobilised to provide timely care to those in need.
On Wednesday, Abdullah said, “Held a meeting to assess the security and preparedness along the border/LoC areas. Emphasis laid on safeguarding civilian lives, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring swift response to any emerging challenges”.
The review meeting was held against the backdrop of Pakistan’s indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir after Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes in the neighbouring country to target the terror infrastructure there.
In his remarks, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to ensure the seamless provision of essential supplies and services, including food, water, electricity and medical care.
Both Divisional Commissioners and the respective Deputy Commissioners briefed the Chief Minister on the ground situation, availability of essential commodities, medical supplies and basic amenities, an official press release informed.
It said the Deputy Commissioners also briefed the meeting about the temporary shifting of some population to safer zones, particularly at lodgement centers. The Chief Minister directed for ensuring the availability of basic amenities including food, sanitation, water and power supply in these lodgement facilities.
The Chief Minister was informed that adequate stocks of ration and other essential commodities have been kept in readiness at all strategic locations.
He instructed concerned officials to ensure uninterrupted supply chains.
Regarding emergency healthcare, the Chief Minister was briefed about the availability of blood and medical supplies, availability of doctors in Government Medical Colleges and district hospitals, and he emphasized the need for maintaining reserve stocks in need of emergency.
The Chief Minister also directed that senior doctors be deputed to key hospitals in the affected districts to strengthen emergency medical response and ensure specialized care for the injured.
He further instructed the administration to facilitate swift transportation of critically injured victims to tertiary care hospitals outside their districts, using critical care ambulances so that timely and advanced medical treatment is provided without delay.
Further, the Chief Minister directed that additional ambulances be deployed in vulnerable areas to ensure swift medical response and evacuation, wherever needed.
Taking serious note of casualties and injuries caused due to shelling, the Chief Minister directed that ex-gratia relief be disbursed immediately to the next of kin of deceased and injured persons. He further instructed that all required formalities be expedited so that financial assistance—including support from PM CARES Fund and other relief sources—be processed without delay.
The Chief Minister instructed the concerned Deputy Commissioners to undertake field visits to the affected villages and ensure the presence of senior officers of line departments on the ground to monitor the situation closely.
The Chief Minister also directed the concerned Deputy Commissioners to ensure that law enforcement agencies step up vigilance in vulnerable areas, especially to protect properties left behind by families who may have temporarily relocated to safer zones.
The Chief Minister commended the efforts of the officers for their measures in these testing times to safeguard people’s lives and ensure their well-being.
Ex-gratia assistance disbursed among Pak-shelling victims in Poonch
Authorities in Poonch on Thursday disbursed immediate relief and ex-gratia assistance from the district Red Cross fund to individuals and their families affected by Pakistani shelling, an official spokesperson said.
Thirteen people, including four children and two women, were killed and more than 40 injured in intense Pakistani shelling in Poonch district, after Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on terror infrastructure across the border on Wednesday.
An ex-gratia amount of Rs 6 lakh each has been provided to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 to those who sustained serious injuries and Rs 20,000 to individuals with minor injuries, the spokesperson said.
He said the relief has been extended in accordance with established norms to ensure timely support to the victims.
Poonch Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to public welfare and said all necessary assistance will continue for those affected.
The district administration is actively monitoring the situation and taking all measures to safeguard the wellbeing of the residents, he said.
Kundal also visited the district hospital to inquire about those injured in the shelling and admitted to the facility.
During his visit, the deputy commissioner interacted with the injured and expressed his heartfelt solidarity with the bereaved family members.
He assured them of comprehensive support and assistance from the administration amid this challenging time.
In a directive to the medical staff, Kundal emphasised the importance of providing the best possible treatment to the injured.
He also visited the blood bank to review the availability of blood and directed the staff there to ensure an adequate and uninterrupted supply to meet any emergency needs.
Later, the deputy commissioner visited the Government Polytechnic College Sathra, one of the nine designated shelter camps for the border residents of Mandi tehsil.
All necessary facilities, including food, power, water and sanitation, have been made available at the shelter camps, he said.
The deputy commissioner also convened a meeting to review the status of essential services and initiate measures to expedite the restoration of critical supply chains across this border district.
He directed the jal shakti and power development departments to ensure the restoration of water and electricity supplies within two hours in all affected areas, while the consumer affairs and public distribution department was asked to take immediate measures to ensure adequate and uninterrupted supply of ration, particularly in areas along the Line of Control (LoC).
The district administration is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all citizens, Kundal said.(PTI)
