State Cabinet’s recent decision of relocating dwellers on international border and LoC in the State in a radius of five kilometres behind the border is not a happy one. Indeed it is a decision which the Cabinet must have taken reluctantly under immense pressure of circumstances. Ours is not the only country which has a long border with a neighbouring country. The case of Indo-Pak border previously in J&K and now more recently even along IB has been made complicated by Pakistan’s unrelenting hostility against us.
Pakistan has been violating the ceasefire agreement reached in 2003 and thus throwing to winds the norms and obligations of good neighbourhood.
Pakistan’s recent firing and shelling on IB in Arnia sector and also at various places along LoC targeting civilian population, our forward posts, cattle wealth and crops has created a situation in which, besides taking retaliatory steps, the State Government is forced to consider the option of relocating such segments of population as usually become the target of Pakistani firing and shelling. We are not at all happy with the decision of relocating these border dwellers. This does not augur well for us though we know that the decision to do so has been taken unwillingly. Relocating our own citizens at some place that will be five kilometres behind the IB or LoC almost means rendering a vast territory as no man’s land. This is very fertile and productive land and the farmers will also be deprived of cultivating it because of the fear of enemy opening fire at any time.
Notwithstanding this position, the other side of the issue is no less important. These dwellers have been suffering immensely since a long time owing to unprovoked firing and shelling by the enemy. They have already suffered huge losses in terms of human beings, cattle, houses and crops. A number of people have been killed and families rendered destitute. This cannot be allowed to go on any more. Preventive steps have to be taken. It is the responsibility of the State to provide security and safety to these people. Their economies are shattered and their homes are razed to ground. No responsible Government can ignore their plight or remain unconcerned about their plight. Under these circumstances, the option of relocating them at a safer locale behind the border is the only option available and has to be exercised though temporarily. Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to identify the land for relocation.
It is also a right decision of the Cabinet to provide the youth of these relocated families jobs by special recruitment in police, Para military and armed forces. That will provide them the means of subsistence which they badly need once they are relocated. But we would entreat the Government to provide them civic amenities like power, water, roads and schools because new localities will come up and these have to be provided facilities of making their lives smooth. The Centre and State Government, while considering the relocation package should ensure that civic facilities are provided as pre-requisites of their relocation at new habitats.
The Cabinet’s decision to bring in a package for those who have suffered owing to landslides happened during recent rains and floods is also timely and in the fitness of things. These packages are being expedited and the authorities have been directed to hasten making assessment of losses suffered by the people on the border and also under landslides so that they are compensated. We welcome these positive steps of the Government but we also hope that once situation on the border returns to normalcy and an understanding is reached with Pakistan not to violate the sanctity of borders, the relocated people will return to their original habitats and resume their normal lives.
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