The tragic death of Sunil Kumar in Nikowal village while attempting to clean his household bunker is a stark reminder of the dire consequences of official neglect and design failures in infrastructure meant for civilian protection in conflict zones. As border tensions escalate, the people living along the Indo-Pak border remain not only at risk from cross-border shelling but also from the very shelters intended to safeguard their lives. Individual bunkers were introduced as a measure to protect civilians from cross-border hostilities. However, as the recent incident reveals, many of these structures are plagued with fundamental design flaws-lack of drainage, absence of covered entrances, and no electrical provisions. Such lapses render these bunkers unusable during rains and dangerous in emergencies, defeating their primary purpose.
What makes this situation particularly distressing is the persistent official and political apathy. Villagers, former sarpanches, and community leaders have raised these issues repeatedly with officers yet their pleas remain unheard. Sunil Kumar’s death was not merely accidental; it was the result of a system that fails to respond to the voices of those it claims to protect. The case of Treva Panchayat, where none of the 30 individual bunkers have covered entrances, further underscores the scale of the problem. Even direct appeals by respected community leaders have failed to elicit meaningful action. It reflects a systemic disconnect between bureaucratic procedure and the lived realities of border residents.
Compounding the issue is the absence of political will. While central schemes like PMAY have ensured better construction in isolated instances, they remain exceptions. The Government’s recent move to survey faulty bunkers is welcome but belated. It comes only after a preventable tragedy and amid renewed public outcry. One can only hope that this survey translates into swift and sustained action. Until then, border residents continue to bear the brunt-paying with their safety, dignity and even their lives. It is time for the UT and Central Governments to move beyond surveys and symbolism to deliver what these communities need most: safe, functional shelters and the respect of responsive governance.
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