Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, May 26: Former MLC, Vikramaditya Singh, today said that the State was lacking a comprehensive policy for protecting the lakhs of people living on the International Border or Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region, who face continuous threat from ceasefire violations or cross-border firing.
The former MLC said this while interacting with the victims of ceasefire violations on IB in Samba district. Vikramaditya visited the homes of the victims who were killed in the border shelling and condoled with the bereaved families.
Expressing his deep sympathies, Vikramaditya said that it is a matter of grave concern and a serious humanitarian issue that Pakistan continues to target innocent civilians living on the border including killing of young children and women. He further said that it was shameful and distressing to see the living conditions of our border people and the damage they suffer due to border shelling.
Regarding the border areas of Samba district, Vikramaditya Singh said that during his discussion with the people of the area he was apprised of three main demands and urgent needs. Firstly, he said that there is a major shortage of ambulances that are required for basic or emergency medical care during sudden incidents of border firing.
Secondly, he said that people were demanding that Samba Hospital be given the status of a district-hospital as this would provide adequate medical services including doctors and medical staff. Thirdly, he said that to improve the livelihoods of families that are victims of border firing, adequate employment opportunities need to be provided for their family members by the Government.
Vikramaditya also condemned the recent grenade attack on the Jammu city bus stand. He further added that this was yet another attempt to disturb the peace in Jammu ahead of the pilgrimage season with upcoming Kheer Bhawani Mela, Sudh Mahadev Mela and Amarnath Yatra.
The former MLC raised his serious concerns and doubts regarding the Government policy of unilateral ceasefire with terrorists in the State. He said that morale of Indian Army and security forces and upper-hand gained by them on counter terrorist operations must not be compromised.
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