Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 7: District Administration, Kathua, organised a Civil-Military public meeting at designated areas of Hiranagar Field Firing Range where more than six panchayats were involved in the firing range from 1992 to 2008. Aim of the meeting was to ascertain the grievances of affected areas and devise strategy for future establishment of firing range, and strengthen the security grid along the international border.
Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary along with Brigadier R R Kumar and various Commanding Officers, SDM Hiranagar, Tehsildar Hiranagar and other officers of Revenue Department held deliberations with public, sarpanchs, panchs and lumberdars. A large number of women also participated in the meeting. The meeting of all the panchayats was organised at Saida near Kootah in Hiranagar sub-division. Hiranagar Field Firing Range involves areas of District Samba and Kathua.
Issues related to long pending land compensation, deaths and injuries due to firing, accidental fires, establishment of firing range, defining areas of operation, employment of locals in army and local developmental issues were discussed in the meeting. Sarpanchs from various panchayats also submitted memorandum of demands to the district administration.
The DC assured the public for redressal of their grievances related to land compensation and payment for damages to life and property. He informed the gathering that all genuine demands will be fulfilled and decision for the field firing range will be taken after due consent of the public.
Stressing the necessity for strengthening the security grid in the area along International Border, he asked the people to cooperate with Army so that the units of Army are not required to move to Rajasthan for months together for firing practice which makes the area prone to security lapses. At the same time he called for redressal of all pending issues and grievances. A coordination committee of public was constituted for deliberations on various issues related to the field firing range.
Brigadier R R Kumar also informed the public about plans of Army and sought active cooperation from public. He stressed for better coordination with public and thanked the district administration for playing a proactive role in bridging the gap with public on firing range issue.
SDM Hiranagar explained the broad contours of land acquisition, compensation, area involved and measures to mitigate damages.
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