Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: The shelling by Pakistan along Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote sector of district Poonch in which six persons got killed and over 20 people received injuries, was widely condemned.
National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Working President Omar Abdullah have condemned in the strongest of terms the incident of heavy shelling across the Line of Control in Poonch that resulted in the death of six civilians. Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have extended their deepest condolences to the bereaved families in their hour of grief. “These areas in Poonch have been reeling under a very grim situation since a while now due to incessant shelling from across the Line of Control. I hope that the State Government finally wakes up from its slumber and reaches out to dispense medical aid to the injured and moves the locals to safe areas and shelters”, Dr Farooq Abdullah said in a statement and urged the State Government to ensure the best possible medical care and treatment of those who are injured.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, accompanied by senior officers of district administration, today visited Government Medical College, Jammu and enquired about the well being of those airlifted from Balakote (Poonch) after they sustained injuries due to unprovoked firing by the Pakistan. The Deputy Chief Minister directed the GMC Principal to provide best medicare facilities to the victims. He interacted with the injured and wished them speedy recovery. He also announced an amount of Rs 5000 each to the injured as interim relief.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Choudhary Lal Singh today visited GMC hospital and enquired about the well beings of the persons who got injured in border shelling from Pakistan at Balakote town of Poonch district. Minister was accompanied by Principal Government College Hospital, Dr Ghanshyam Dev Gupta and several other senior doctors. While interacting with the attendants of the admitted victims of Pak firing, the Minister assured them every possible help from the Government. He issued necessary directions to the GMC authorities to provide free healthcare treatment to the injured. Later, the Minister visited various units of the GMCH and inspected the medicare facilities being provided to the patients. He directed the hospital administration to pay focused attention towards the sanitation in and around the hospital by pressing adequate number of safai-karamcharies into service. He also stressed upon the medicos to remain punctual to their duties and serve the patients with more zest and dedication. He also cautioned for ensuring proper dress Code by the doctors and para-medicos during the duty hours.
In view of the unprovoked Pak firing on Poonch borders, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department and Tribal Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali has appealed both India and Pakistan to take immediate steps for restoring immediate truce on LoC and border so that common people do not suffer. Minister has also appealed the Government of India for granting financial package for permanent rehabilitation of border and LoC residents and demanded a policy to deal with the border and LoC affected families. Meanwhile, the Minister instructed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to ensure safety and security of the residents. He also directed the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch to personally visit the affected areas and ensure arrangements for safety of the affected people along the LoC.
Senior National Conference leader and MLA Mendhar Javed Rana visited Balakote area. While speaking, Rana demanded ex-gratia for the affected families’ alongwith shelter for them at safer place.
Describing continuous shelling from across the border highly shameful and deplorable act, JKPCC Chief GA Mir said that killings of civilians is most unfortunate. He said there is a need for long term measures to ensure the safety of people living along borders. He urged the Central Government to show seriousness about safety of the people living along borders.
General Secretary, PCC and Former Minister Dr Manohar Lal Sharma condemned the ceasefire violation by Pakistan along LoC, in which six persons were killed and more than twenty person received injuries. Dr Sharma demanded ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family members of the persons killed and Rs 2 lakh for the person who received injuries.
Hundreds of Youth Congress activists held protest against Pakistan at Ramban for unprovoked firing and shelling killing 6 persons and injuring over 20 people. The protest was led by Lok Sabha Vice President Udhampur-Doda Rashid Malik and incharge Ramban Sec Lok Sabha Udhampur-Doda Ramneek Singh Raina.
Former senior vice-president of Pradesh Youth Congress, Ajay Tony also condemned the Pakistan shelling and firing on the border dwellers. He accused the BJP-led Governments at Centre and State of being mute spectator to frequent deaths of the border dwellers in the firing from across the borders.
“BJP always created hype about taking stern action against Pakistan but practically it has not initiated any step to teach a lesson to the hostile neighbor”, he further said, adding “even the much talked about plans of shifting border dwellers to the safe locations have not become reality till date”.
He expressed condolences to the family members of those who lost lives in the firing and shelling.
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