LG reviews border situation right at Zero Line with top BSF officers

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha with BSF officers at Ramgarh sector in Samba district on Tuesday.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha with BSF officers at Ramgarh sector in Samba district on Tuesday.

‘Elements within J&K, across trying to derail development’
People to cultivate land along IB, Samba gets massive share in industrial investment
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 7: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today reviewed security situation especially with particular reference to infiltration attempts and bids to smuggle weapons and narcotics through drones along the International Border (IB) during his visit to Zero Line at Chamliyal in Ramgarh area of Samba district and directed the administration to take all steps to ensure that the villagers are able to do farming in their land located close to the borders.
He said attempts are being made to derail development by the forces not only within Jammu and Kashmir but also across the border but security forces are taking all steps to ensure peace.
At the security review meeting held at Border Out Post (BOP) Chamliyal in Ramgarh sector of Samba district, located right on Zero Line, IG BSF Jammu Frontiers DK Boora and DIG Surjeet Singh gave detailed briefing to the Lieutenant Governor about situation prevailing along 198 kilometers long International Border in Jammu sector spread over three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua.
Boora and Singh reportedly briefed Sinha about latest ceasefire agreement on the IB which is in force since February 26 this year and few infiltration attempts and drone activities in the border areas.
The Lieutenant Governor praised the domination by the BSF on the borders and also inspected weapons displayed by security forces which were recovered by them while thwarting intrusion bids and other operations.
While there has been no major infiltration attempt along the International Border in Jammu sector, some attempts have been made by the militants with the help of Rangers to smuggle weapons and narcotics using drones which have been successfully foiled by the BSF. The Government is in the process of developing anti-drone technology for installation along the borders.
Addressing a gathering of local people and PRI representatives, Sinha called upon security forces and civil administration to ensure that people are able to cultivate their lands right up to the Zero Line along the International Border where farming had been stopped earlier in view of ceasefire violations by the Pakistan army.
However, after fresh ceasefire agreement between Indo-Pak troops, the people are upbeat about cultivation of their land right up to the Zero Line.
Sinha assured all help to the farmers including subsidy etc from the civil administration for farming along the International Border.
It may be mentioned that in some of the areas, the people have already started cultivation in their fields located close to the IB in view of ceasefire agreement. However, in some other areas, the farmers are hesitant in cultivating the land on Zero Line anticipating firing from Pakistan.
“There have been attempts to derail development in Jammu and Kashmir. There are certain elements who are sitting here and some across the border (a reference towards Pakistan) who don’t want to see peace here,” Sinha said but added that security forces are committed to maintenance of peace.
He announced that out of Rs 31,000 crore worth investment proposals in the industry under New Industrial Scheme, out of which Rs 15,000 crore worth proposals have been approved, there has been large scale share of Samba.
“The local industry will also be encouraged,” he added.
Referring to empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions, the Lieutenant Governor said Kerala was earlier stated to be best model in terms of giving powers and rights to the Panchayats but now Jammu and Kashmir has given maximum powers to the Panchayats.
“Administration and members of the Panchayati Raj Institutions must keep good coordination between them for flourishing Panchayati Raj Institutions,” he added.
Referring to demands raised by the local people, Sinha assured special recruitment for the border youth in Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
Regarding another demand raised by the people over rates of mining, he directed the civil administration to ensure that only fixed rates are charged from the people.
Meanwhile, the Lt Governor also paid obeisance at the revered shrine of Baba Chamliyal near international border, where he prayed for the peace, prosperity and the well being of the people of J&K.
Sinha observed that the J&K administration is committed to ensure that the border villages have best infrastructure at par with developed towns.
“J&K has started development ‘Utsav’ in bordering villages. Our aim is to provide maximum resources to the bordering villages”, he added.
The Lt Governor also launched “Panchayat Darpan” App, first web portal in J&K UT designed and created by NIC Samba, which provides information regarding Panchayats’ profiles, department wise Schemes, Social Security schemes, Panchayat wise data on development works, grievances, financial achievements, auditing, and other aspects of various line departments.
In order to give impetus to establishing good governance and accentuating development in border areas of UT, a separate provision will be kept in the UT budget for Border Area Development, Sinha announced.
Recalling the directions issued during LG Mulaqat program last year, the Lt Governor informed that the villages adjoining to the international border are given the benefit of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act 2005, which they were not getting earlier.
“It is our primary responsibility to provide good roads, electricity, water, school facilities, employment to youth, job opportunities to the border villages and we are committed to it,” he added.
The Lt Governor also informed that the pious land of Baba Dilip Singh Ji, Chamliyal, has recently been included in the tourist village network by Mission Youth, placing it on the tourism map of the country. He observed that the step will bring comprehensive Development and new employment opportunities for the youth.
Terming youth as the builders of our present and future, Sinha said that youth have significant role to play in making J&K a developed and prosperous region. The administration has started many programs keeping youth, women, farmers and deprived sections at the center of government policies, making them partners in the development journey of J&K, he added.
Regarding the problem of irrigation in Kandi areas, the Lt Governor assured that the administration is working towards providing sufficient supply of water in the areas.
“I am also aware of the canal water requirement for Kandi Belt and it will be resolved soon. Every year a large part of the fertile land gets washed away by the banks of the Basantar river. A project report of Rs 25 crore has been sent to the Central Water Commission for its permanent protection and after getting the technical approval, the Central Flood Control Department will also be requested to start work on that project soon”, he informed.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor also presented the keys of commercial vehicles to two local youth under the ‘Mumkin’ Scheme.
Keshav Sharma, DDC Chairman; Members of DDC council Samba; BDC Chairman Ramgarh Block; Sarpanchs and Panchs were present on the occasion.
Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Dr Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Anuradha Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Samba, Rajesh Sharma, SSP Samba; senior officers of BSF, district officers along with people of border villages were also present on the occasion.