Centre sets up study group to find solutions to problems faced by civilians in J&K

NEW DELHI: As continuing India-Pakistan tension pushes up incidents of shelling, firing and sniper fire from across the LoC and international border in Jammu & Kashmir, the Centre has set up a study group to consider the problems faced by civilians living in the border villages and suggest solutions.

The study group will be chaired by joint secretary (internal security) in the home ministry and comprise four other members, including principal secretary (home), J&K; divisional commissioner of Jammu; divisional commissioner of Kashmir, and joint secretary (J&K) who will also be the member-secretary. It has been asked to submit its report in two months.

Among the issues that the study group will go into are temporary relocation of civilians living too close to the border/LoC in the event of sustained firing, setting up of fortified bunkers to temporarily shelter such population; compensation or financial assistance to be paid for loss of life, property and cattle due to shelling incidents; and compensation for land acquired for fencing. It will also examine the people's demand for being provided weapons to defend themselves in the event of attacks by Pakistan's border action teams.

The creation of the study group comes amid rising incidence of border shelling by the Pakistani forces this year. There were over 600 ceasefire violations by Pakistan till September this year, up from 450 in whole of 2016. Eight civilians and 16 security personnel have been killed so far this year as against 13 civilians and security personnel each in 2016.

Only this week, firing from across the LoC in Poonch had claimed two lives and injured a dozen people.

"We have managed to push back lot of infiltrators and have neutralised several top terrorists. To increase the pressure, the Pakistani forces may now root for civilian targets," said home ministry spokesperson Ashok Prasad.

Prasad said the study group will come up with suggestions aimed at raising preparedness of locals residing in villages close to the LoC/IB to counter the belligerence of Pakistan.

Incidentally, locals had raised their concerns arising out of border shelling/firing with Union home minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to J&K border areas last month. Singh had then promised to address them. The formation of the study group is a step in that direction.

The home ministry order issued on Thursday said the group will meet the people living in the border areas of J&K; public representatives, district administration and security forces deployed in border areas.

"The study group may prepare a detailed report of the issues being faced by the public living near to IB/LoC and submit its recommendations on the remedial action that needs to be taken to address these issues," it added.