14 civilians killed, 86 injured in mine blasts

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: A total of 14 civilians have been killed and 86 injured in different mine blasts in border areas of the State from time to time.
This information was given by Minister Incharge Home in a written reply to the question of JSM MLA, Ashwani Sharma in the Legislative Assembly. “Among these, one civilian has been killed and 4 others injured in Bishnah constituency”, the Minister added.
“The land mine incidents are not covered in the existing ex-gratia rules notified by the State Government”, the Minister said, adding “ex-gratia in such cases is to be provided by the Ministry of Defence in accordance with the guidelines framed by them”.
In reply to another question, the Minister said that out of 100 cases of land mine blast victims, the payment of ex-gratia has been made in 52 cases either by the Army or Deputy Commissioner concerned as per the guidelines. “The rest of the cases are under active consideration and the ex-gratia relief will be paid in due course of time after obtaining sanction”, the Minister added.