Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA Oct 21: Expressing concern over continued shelling in forward areas of Jammu, National Conference on Monday urged the Centre to engage Pakistan in a meaningful dialogue for bringing to halt the senseless and unwarranted skirmishes that have adversely impacted the life in the border region.
Interacting with border dwellers, Sr Vice President Surjeet Singh Slathia and Provincial President Devender Singh Rana expressed solidarity with them, saying they should not feel to be alone at this hour of difficult situation.
“National Conference was with them and will continue to remain by their side in all circumstances”, the two leaders said while wishing good sense to prevail upon the neighbouring country to end this unfortunate situation.
The party leaders visited Galad, Kuliyan Kali Badi, Jasso Chak, Samdhu and Jerdah in Samba and Ramgarh sectors on the instructions of President National Conference Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. These areas have been affected by the shelling from across the border.
The National Conference delegation met several families of Village Kurian, Suchetgarh of Samba, who had taken temporary shelter in a Community Centre, and urged them to return back to their homes. On the assurance of the delegation and the administration they shifted back to their dwelling units.
The Provincial President lauded the valour of border dwellers for braving the brunt of intermittent firing from across the border and hoped they will meet the situation with courage and fortitude.
“The disturbed conditions on borders only aggravate the situation and put innocent people under immense strain. There has to be some mechanism to avert such situations that create tension and turbulence on borders”, Mr Rana said.
He said National Conference will vigorously pursue the cause of border people and insist on a special development component, employment package and insurance cover for the forward areas. This is imperative because the people don’t only live in difficult conditions but also brave the brunt of cross border skirmishes, he added.
Mr Rana said the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already taken up with the Prime Minister the issue regarding special recruitment drive in the armed and central paramilitary forces for the youth residing near International Border and Line of Control from Kathua to Gurez.
He said that the Government is aware about the problems confronted to the people living along borders and assured that all possible steps would be taken to mitigate these. He stressed the need for a special developmental package for the border areas besides exploring the possibility of an inclusive insurance cover for these areas in view of losses caused to life and property due to incidents of firing.
Mr Rana exhorted the people not to panic from the prevailing situation, as the government is well prepared to meet any eventuality arising in the wake of shelling. He hoped the people will continue to put stay in their dwelling units and eschew the tendencies of leaving their homes and hearths in panic reaction.
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