Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Dec 16: The joy of farmers of International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district knew no bounds after they stepped in their fields and started cultivation on Forward Line on IB after a long span of 20 years. They had stopped the cultivation on more than 5000 heactres of land due to Pakistan firing on IB. Now the Union Government’s tough stance against Pakistan and declaration of ceasefire on IB two years back, the border area people are in a position to cultivate their land.
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The border farmers Rajinder Mathur , Banarsi Dass and Balak Ram said that they had stopped the cultivation under the terror of Pakistan firing. Now the Government has encouraged them to cultivate the fields on Forward Line under security cover. The border residents have no more employment resources except the farming, they added.
They were glad to get chance to re-cultivate their fields with the support of Government, BSF and Agriculture Department. They said it is possible due to policies of Government and strong message given by Modi Government to Pakistan .
The farmers ploughed their fertile fields and started sowing wheat crops up to Zero Line across the fencing on Indo -Pak International Border. The Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rahul Yadav and BSF Commandant, Atul Shah accompanied by Chief Agriculture Officer, Kathua Vijay Upadhaya visited to Border out Post (BoP) Chandwan on Forward Line on IB and began the sowing of wheat crops on Zero Line . The farmers in large numbers started cultivation of wheat crop after the district administration, Kathua and BSF extended them full support of free seed and fertilizers to farmers, removed the bushes and levelled the land. The BSF authorities gave them full security cover to start cultivation. The Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rahul Yadav said that under the direction of Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, the administration provided all logistic support to farmers to encourage them to cultivate their fields on Forward Line . All additional support of seed, fertilizer and tractors has been given to farmers, he added. He said “We have target to cultivate nearly 100 hectares of land in this season and rest of area would be covered late on”,.
The BSF Commandant Atul Shah said “It is matter of pride for us that BSF becomes the part of this great event that farmers started cultivation on Forward Line and our jawans are guarding them”.
At present nearly 5000 acres of land lying non cultivated after Pakistan started firing on border and dislocated the border residents.
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