Centre assures bunkers, land for firing-affected families

KATHUA:
Union Minister Jitendra Singh today assured people displaced due to Pakistani firing that bunkers would be constructed for them along the border.
“We assure that pucca bunkers would be constructed in the border areas for civilian population to take shelter during firing,” the Union Minister in PMO said.
Singh paid a visit to border migrant camps at Chhann Khatiran and Chadwal to take stock of situation there.
People, who fled their homes near IB due to Pakistani firing and shelling in Hiranagar sector, have been putting up in these camps.
“Discussions were also held with BSF DG D K Pathak in this regard,” he said.
On the displaced people’s demand for grant of plots at safer places, Singh said that five marlas of land plots would soon be given to 5,000 border families at safer locations and compensation for crop damage would also be disbursed shortly.
Singh, who enquired from the migrants about the temporary rehabilitation arrangement made by the State Government, also announced a grant of Rs Five lakhs for their welfare and 2,500 blankets.
The State Government officials, who briefed the Union Minister, said that 3,105 kanals of land has been identified so far in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district and detailed reports have been submitted to Singh.
They said the process for identifying more land was still on. The land will be allotted to affected families as per the norms set up by the Central Government.
As many as 5,000 families in 57 villages have been affected by the cross border firing. (AGENCIES)