People in all border villages of Arnia, Ramgarh and RS Pura sectors were highly critical of both Central and State Governments for ignoring their miserable conditions and taking no steps for their protection from the firing.
Large number of people whom the Excelsior spoke said they have been left at the mercy of Pakistan shelling and firing.
“There is no one to listen to us,” said Sham Kumar Singh, a resident of Arnia town reminding Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who had promised construction of bunkers, both community and individual for the people of border areas.
Narayan Dutt Sharma of village Treva, who was camping in Arnia town with his family said all successive Governments have fooled the border people.
“The Congress Government had promised us 5 marla plots in safer areas. The BJP Government assured us bunkers. None of them fulfilled the promises,” Sharma regretted.
Prema Kumari of Jabowal in RS Pura sector regretted that not a single Minister from the Centre or the State Government has bothered to visit the border to see plight of the people, who had to leave their homes after every few months and take shelter in the camps.
“We are losing cattle, which cost dearly to us and are sources of our livelihood,” Prema lamented and charged the Government with not fulfilling commitment of giving full compensation for the losses of cattle.
Majority of border dwellers were of the view that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti should immediately visit the border areas and announce on-spot decisions for safety and protection of the villagers from Pakistan shelling and firing. Else, they cautioned, they would be forced to resort to protests against the Government.
However, the people were satisfied with massive retaliation being given to Pakistan by the BSF jawans.
“As far as retaliation part is concerned, we are satisfied. The BSF has been doing commendable job,” they said.
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