Central team assesses damages caused by cross-border shelling

JAMMU: A five-member team led by a senior home ministry official visited villages along the LOC in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri and Poonch districts to assess the damages caused by cross-border shelling by Pakistan, officials said.

The team, led by Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Home Ministry Rina Mitra, comprises Joint Secretary (Internal Security) Gyanesh Kumar and Director (Ministry of Home Affairs) R K Swarankar. It reviewed the problems faced by people living in the border areas, their demands and other issues for a broad redressal planning, the officials said.

The twin districts witnessed the worst border skirmishes between India and Pakistan along the LOC this year, resulting in casualties and damage to public and private properties.

In Rajouri, the officials said senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, briefed the team about the losses incurred due to ceasefire violations, evacuation and rescue measures, rehabilitation, issues and demands of the people.

They said the delegation assessed losses in various villages and held detailed discussions with the people in Jhangar village, which was among the worst hit.

MLA Nowshera Ravinder Raina and MLC Surinder Choudhary along with local public deputations briefed the team about the problems faced by public and their demands, they said. The Special Secretary inspected the recently constructed bunkers in villages Langar and Dnaka.

The officials said the people put forward various demands, including relief in case of natural calamities, crop compensation, special development package, reservation for youth in employment and education, allotment of plots, construction of more bunkers and provision of other essential facilities.