Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 2: In a major relief for the border firing victims, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today declared that they would be treated at par with militancy victims and for the purpose SRO 43 would be amended at the earliest. This would enable the border firing victims to Rs 5 lakh compensation instead of Rs 1 lakh paid to them at present and a job to next of their kin.
In his first visit to the borders areas of Bishnah, Arnia and RS Pura sectors after more than 45 days long hostilities in which three civilians and a BSF jawan were killed and many others injured apart from massive destruction of property, Omar addressed the border people at Joyian in Bishnah, Treva and Sei in Arnia and Jeora Farm in RS Pura and assessed damage caused to the house in the firing.
Omar also announced that the demand of the border migrants for 5 marlas plot in safer areas would be considered while construction of bunkers in safer areas would be taken up with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his upcoming visit to the border areas.
In an interaction with media at Bhagwati Nagar after inaugurating water supply scheme, Omar reiterated his demand for talks with Pakistan saying they can’t be stopped for “just cup of tea’’ (the separatists had with Pakistan High Commission) and called for review of the Government of India’s decision to force students to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on Teacher’s Day saying there should be no compulsion and every address should be listened voluntarily.
During his tour of the border areas at Joyian in Bishnah, Treva and Sei in Arnia and Jeora Farm in RS Pura, Omar accompanied by Minister of State for Home Sajjad Kitchloo and NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana addressed the border migrants, visited their houses to assess the damage and announced bringing the border firing victims at par with militancy victims.
“Both (the border firing victims and militancy victims) face the same bullets of Pakistan. Therefore, they can’t be discriminated. I will go back to Srinagar and amend SRO 43 to bring the firing and militancy victims at par so that the border migrants are benefited of the decision,’’ the Chief Minister announced.
With the amendment in SRO, the families of persons killed in border firing would be entitled to Rs 5 lakh relief and a job as is given to families of militancy victims. Presently, the border firing victims were getting only Rs 1 lakh compensation. Three civilians were killed in recent border firing on the International Border by Pakistan in RS Pura sector.
On major issue of border migrants for allotment of 5 marla plots for them in safer zones, Omar said the issue would be considered. However, as far as construction of bunkers in the border areas and shelter places in safer zones were concerned, he said he would take up the demand with the Union Home Minister during his upcoming tour of the border areas.
In all the border areas visited by the Chief Minister, the people called for adequate measures for their safety during firing from across the border, compensation for killed and injured cattle, damage caused to the houses and cattle sheds, 5 marla plot to them in safer zones, construction of pucca bunkers in the event of sudden firing by Pakistan and compensation for being unable to cultivate the crops.
The Chief Minister assured that all these demands would be duly considered and he would try to implement which ever were in hands of the State Government. The border migrants also demanded special recruitment drive in their areas in police and para-military forces.
Omar announced three months free ration for the people affected by Pakistan firing and shelling.
Meanwhile, in an chat with media persons after inauguration of water supply scheme at Bhagwati Nagar, Omar reiterated that talks between India and Pakistan shouldn’t be held hostage to “cup of tea’’ (between separatists and Pakistan High Commission) as it was going on for past 25 years.
“If the talks were suspended that conditions were not conducive in Pakistan due to ongoing turmoil in that country, it was understandable. But suspending it for “cup of tea’’, which was going on for 25 years, is not understandable. The encounters are going on for past 25 years. The ceasefire violations are on. There is no other option but to hold talks with Pakistan,’’ the Chief Minister reiterated.
“In the aftermath of Parliament attack, talks were stalled with Pakistan but resumed again. After Mumbai attack, similar things happened. There is no alternative to talks,’’ he said.
Asserting that peace in Pakistan was in the interest of entire neighbourhood and not only in India, he said Pakistan was second largest nation in SAARC and stability in that country suits all. He hoped that normalcy would return to the neighbouring country as early as possible.
In his address in the border areas, Omar said Pakistan should focus on its own affairs instead of targeting others, a reference to firing by the Rangers on innocent Indian civilians despite ongoing crisis in the neighbouring country with Imran Khan and a religious cleric supporters storming Islamabad seeking resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief.
“Conditions are not conducive in Pakistan. The neighbouring country is facing crisis. They must keep their own house in order instead of firing on us,’’ he said.
In reply to a question, Omar Abdullah hit out at Pakistan saying it should try to improve its internal situation rather than resort to firing and shelling villages here.
“Their (Pakistan’s) internal situation is very bad. Instead of disturbing your (border villagers) lives, they should have tried and concentrated to better their internal situation and their own lives… It would have got them better dividends,” Omar said
“What do they get from bombarding your houses? What do they get from killing you people? I cannot understand this,” he said.
“It is unfortunate for you that the neighbouring country doesn’t want to keep good relations with us due to some reasons,” he said.
He said, “It is difficult for you to save your own selves, children or animals. We can compensate you all… But cannot return the lives which perished in the shelling.”
Omar also said he did not have any political agenda in visiting the affected villages but was fulfilling his duty towards humanity prayed for the well being of the people.
Hitting out at Narendra Modi Government for the reason cited by it for calling off the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan, Omar said the dialogue needs to be revived as there is no other option.
Omar questioned the decision to cancel the talks over the meeting Kashmiri separatists had with the Pakistan High Commissioner to India before the Foreign Secretary-level meeting rather than on ceasefire violations and the internal situation in Pakistan.
“If ceasefire violation is your reason to call off the dialogue, it is okay. If uncertainty in Pakistan is the reason, even that to an extent, I understand. But if it is a ‘cup of tea’, that I don’t understand”, Omar said.
He was replying to questions about calling off the Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan due to Kashmiri separatists’ meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit in New Delhi last month.
“If you (New Delhi) would have called off the dialogue due to uncertainty in Pakistan, I would have understood that because it makes a logical sense to you. But the reason for which the Government of India called off the dialogue is a cup of tea (Pakistan High Commission’s invite to Kashmiri separatists for talks) “, Omar said.
The Chief Minister said talks between the separatists and the Pakistan Embassy had continued for the last 25 years. “This cup of tea is not going to stop. That means the dialogue process will not resume”? he said.
Asked whether is it time for talks with Pakistan, Omar said “as of now, I understand there is uncertainty in Pakistan. This is not an environment conducive for the dialogue”, the Chief Minister said. “But, dialogue will have to be restored”, he added.
“You cannot have any option–you tell me what is the option other than talking”? Omar said.
When pointed out that Pakistan is sponsoring militants and the number of encounters has increased, he said “now you will say encounters are being carried out. When have there being no encounter in Kashmir?
“In the last 25 years, there have been incidents of terrorist violence. This terrorist violence has spilled out of J&K,” he said while supporting the dialogue.
Replying to a question of Modi’s address on the occasion of Teacher’s Day on September 5 being made mandatory for telecast and broadcast for listening of the students all over the country, Omar didn’t agree with the proposal on the ground that listening or hearing of the address should be voluntary and not mandatory.
“We have never heard address of any Prime Minister being made mandatory for listening of the students. It should be voluntarily. The Government of India should reconsider its decision,’’ Omar said.
Omar said the border skirmishes have always made the lives of people living there miserable and difficult. He said the inhabitants of Line of Control (LoC) and International Border have to bear the brunt of firing and shelling and their life and property is endangered by such incidents. He said the State of Jammu and Kashmir is greatly and commonly affected by such incidents.
He added that peace and tranquility on borders is equally important for both the neighbours and maintained that the authorities across the border should understand this need and help in creating calm at the LoC and borders. He said the people of border areas have to bear the pain of the gun fire. He said their lives, property and economy get severely affected and endangered by shelling and firing.
The Chief Minister said that people living in the frontiers want peace to carry on the life process smoothly. “We do not subscribe to war but are in favour of resolving the issues through talks and in a peaceful manner”, he added.
The Chief Minister while interacting with the affected families at Joiyan, Treva, Saikalan, Jora, Jabowal, Jangian and various other places in the border areas in R S Pura and Bishnah sectors, announced three months free ration for those who had to leave their homes for shelter due to shelling and whose agricultural operation has come to stand still due to firing. He said that the State Government has taken all measures to provide necessary relief to them as also safeguarding their lives.
“We are with you at this hour of need”, he told them adding that the State administration is fully geared up to help the firing victims. He said that he has given directions to all concerned agencies to do all that is possible to safeguard and help the border people in the situation of shelling and firing from across the Line of Control and borders.
The Chief Minister criticised playing politics on human sufferings and added that the prime concern of all should be to provide necessary help to the affected people without having any political or other consideration.
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