Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Dr Jitendra Singh disclosed an important decision taken by the Union Cabinet that is directly concerned with the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The decision is of introducing the provision for ex-gratia assistance/compensation to victims of cross-border firing, landmine explosions and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) explosions in the border areas. The Line of Control (LoC) in our State extends to over 770 kms while International Border extends to about 220 kms. This is a long and tortuous border running through high altitude mountains and plains. The border has never been silent ever since the partition took place in 1947 and the original State of the Maharaja came under attack from the tribal hordes from NWFP of the erstwhile British Indian Empire. Pakistan has adopted a long range policy of indulging in unprovoked firing and shelling of the LoC as well as the IB in order to give cover to the jihadis of various militant outfits in Pakistan to sneak into our side of the border and indulge in subversive activities and attacks on security forces. Various attempts by the Indian side to dissuade Pakistan from exacerbating violence have not yielded the desired result.
Unprovoked firing and shelling from Pakistan side has caused heavy losses to the civilian population on this side of the LoC/IB. Losses are in the shape of human and cattle life, damages to houses and structures and more importantly to the crops. The civilian population living close to the border and becoming the target of Pakistani firing, had to move away from the firing range and seek shelter somewhere away from their homes and hearths. It causes them great discomfort and inconvenience. This has been a serious matter and Modi Government took cognizance of it. It is heartening to know that the Union Cabinet has decided to sanction ex-gratia relief of five lakh rupees to the victims of cross border firing and also the victims of Naxalite attacks. Previously it was two lakh rupees and now it has been enhanced to five lakh rupees. Naturally, this will infuse confidence among the border people that the Government is committed to take care of them in a situation in which they are exposed to the firing of the enemy. We consider it a major relief for the people who live very close to the border.
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