People living along Line of Control (LoC) have suffered heavily due to the shelling of these areas by Pakistan army. In Poonch, Rajouri, Uri, Kupwara, Keran, Machil and other such areas several people have lost lives. Their houses and other properties were badly damaged. They had to run for their lives and take shelter at comparatively safer places. The indiscriminate firing and shelling, targeting populated areas, has traumatized the people of these areas. As Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, during his visit to Uri, has rightly said, the situation in Uri mirrors that of Tangdhar, Rajouri, and Poonch. “It appears that civilian areas were deliberately targeted in this instance, endangering more lives. Now that the ceasefire has been announced, the displaced people have started returning to their homes but unfortunately there are scores of families in these areas whose homes have been destroyed.
The UT administration has geared up for the rehabilitation of the victims. Both Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha and CM, Abdullah have assured that the administration will come forward for sustained relief and long-term rehabilitation measures. Need is to activate the men and machinery to help these people to rebuild their lives. No time should be wasted instead the top officials of the concerned districts should personally visit these areas, assess the damages and submit the report for relief to the higher ups without any delay. This is an emergency situation and need to be dealt with emergency speed. Nobody can bring back those who lost their lives to Pakistani shells and bullets but those who survived need to be given a chance to resume their lives in a dignified way.
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That said, the government need to have a long-term policy regarding the safety and security of the people who live along LoC and IB. We are having a hostile neighbour who cares very little about lives of innocent people so to defend the people, government need to a have a holistic policy. While the armed forces will continue to defend the locals, the civil administration should gear up for construction of bunkers for the residents of these areas. The UT administration should make a comprehensive plan for construction of individual as well as community bunkers and take up the issue with the Central Government for financial assistance. This issue needs to be prioritized as here the very safety and security of the citizens is at stake and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure their safety.
