Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 8: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad has demanded parity in the payment of ex-gratia relief to the kins of those who are killed in Pakistani firing and terrorist violence.
He has also demanded adequate compensation for inability to cultivate the land beyond border fencing, special recruitment drive in Army/Paramilitary forces/State Police, coverage of Insurance schemes for life, property, crops, livestock, etc and declaration of 5-8 km belt of International Border as “Backward Area” for the purpose of reservation in education and employment in accordance with the norms of the State Government.
These demands have been projected by Mr Azad in a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after visiting the border areas and interacting with the affected people.
“As you are aware that Pakistan’s focus in the last four five months has been to resort to unprovoked and indiscriminate heavy firing and shelling on our territory, targeting civilian population along the IB and LOC, a general state of uncertainty, fear and despondency prevails in the entire border belt with people deeply concerned about their safety, security and peaceful existence,” Mr Azad said in the letter.
Economic activities have taken a severe beating. Agricultural activity and harvesting, which is undertaken these days are worst hit. Schooling and educational activity has been badly impacted thereby jeopardizing the career prospects of youth, he explained the situation.
In the letter, Mr Azad has also drawn attention towards his interaction with the people, who once again raised a vehement pitch for immediate allotment of plots at safer locations where they can shift their families whenever such untoward situation develops on the border.
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