To protect villagers from Pak firing, J&K govt wants bunkers at border

The Jammu and Kashmir government said it has forwarded a proposal for construction of community bunkers along the Line of Control and International Border to the home ministry for consideration.

The state government’s proposal for construction of bunkers seeks safety of border residents from ceasefire violations.

There were 419 ceasefire violations on the LoC and IB in Jammu and Kashmir over the past two years causing 28 deaths. The violations wounded 167 persons and damaged 194 houses, it was revealed in a reply to a question by the state government in the state legislature.

An ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs 75,000 in case of permanent disability and Rs 5,000 for injured persons is paid.

Fully equipped ambulances with first aid material and medical staff are being deployed in border areas. They are at the disposal of the police and other security agencies.

The state government further said that relief by way of free ration, boarding, lodging is immediately provided to the migrants through the concerned district administration. The reply said the district administration is required to take immediate action in providing relief to the affected people whenever such exigencies arise.