Forward areas of 5 districts affected by sudden spurt in cross-border firing: Govt

‘Administration taking all possible measures to avoid further loss of life, damage to property’

JAMMU, JANUARY 20:  The Government today informed the House that there has been sudden spurt in firing from across the border along the International Border and Line of Control during the past few days in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Responding to the concern expressed by the members over the loss of human lives, livestock and damage to the properties in border shelling, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri informed the House that the district administrations of the affected districts including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch are taking all possible measures to avoid further loss of life and property. He said alternate arrangements have also been made for boarding and lodging of the affected population.

The Minister said that there has been colossal damage in the affected border areas and the concerned Deputy Commissioners have been asked to sanction ex-gratia/ compensation as per the NDRF norms to the affected persons. He said the situation is being monitored closely and the State Government is taking all steps to provide the required support to the affected persons.

Veeri said as per the recent decision conveyed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the relief and compensation for house damages, crop/livestock losses, relief for stay at relief camps and displacement etc is payable at the rates equal to NDRF that are fixed from time to time.

He said further Rs 50 lakh has been provided out of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for meeting the cost of treatment/medicines for the injured cattle/livestock. Besides, several teams have been constituted for the survey/treatment of the affected livestock/cattle.

Jammu

Giving district-wise details of the losses in cross-border shelling, the Minister said that on January 17, 2018 at around 2230 hours, the Pakistani Rangers started indiscriminate firing in R S Pura Sector of district Jammu, which was retaliated by BSF 78 Bn.

          During the firing, he said, one BSF personnel namely, HC Suresh Kumar of Tamil Nadu died on the spot and one constable namely, Dubraj Marmar of Orissa sustained injuries. The injured was shifted to GMC Jammu for treatment, he said.

          He said Pakistani Rangers had also started indiscriminate firing again on January 17, 2018 at around 2355 hours in Arnia Sector of Jammu which was retaliated by BSF.

          During firing, he said, one civilian namely Neelam Kumari @ Sweety (19 years) died and 3 civilians namely, Romesh Lal, his wife Chanchala Devi and Darshan Lal, residents of Arnia sustained injuries and were shifted to GMC Hospital Jammu for treatment.

He said firing from both the sides again started on January 18, 2018 at around 0500 hours. During this firing, he said, two civilians namely Sahil Kumar and Bacchno Devi died on spot while 16 civilians sustained injuries. He said the injured have been shifted to GMC, Jammu for treatment.

The Minister said ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh each has been sanctioned in favour of the NoKs of the deceased civilians. An ex-gratia of Rs 5000 each has been sanctioned in respect of the injured persons, as an immediate assistance.

He said DC Jammu and his officers have visited both Arnia and R S Pura. Schools in affected villages are closed. 700 people have been shifted to safer places. 129 animals have died and 93 animals have been injured.

The Minister said that on January 19, 2018 at around 0645 hours, Pakistani Rangers started indiscriminate firing in RS Pura and Arnia Sectors. Further, on the intervening night of 19 and 20 January, due to indiscriminate firing from across the border at Khour sector one Army Jawan namely Lance Naik Shyam Abraham was killed and 2 BSF personnel namely HC Naresh Kumar and Constable Ashwani Kumar sustained injuries.

He said on 19/20-01-2018, at about 1900 hours, Pak Rangers again started indiscriminate firing in Kanachak sector, which was retaliated and firing is still going on. During firing, one SSB personnel namely Constable Lalu Ram Yadav of F-Coy attached with P/S Kanachak got injured and one civilian namely Billu aged about 42 years S/O Mansa Gujjar R/O Kanachak also received injuries. Both the injured persons were shifted to GMC Hospital, Jammu for treatment.

He said on 19/20-01-2018, at about 1910 hours, Pak Rangers started indiscriminate firing in Akhnoor sector, which was retaliated and was going on till the last reports.

The Minister said that on 19/20-01-2018, at about 1945 hours, Pak Rangers started indiscriminate firing at Makwal Forward, sector Satwari manned by BSF 127/89 Bn, which was retaliated. Firing from both the sides stopped today on 20-01-2018, at about 0900 hours. However, no loss has been reported so far.

Samba

The Minister said on January 18, 2018 firing started in Samba sector at around 0130 hrs and two persons namely Suresh Kumar S/o Bhola Ram and Puneet Choudhary S/o Suresh Kumar, both residents of Kamour Camp got injured. On January 19, 2018 at around 0700 hours, Pakistani Rangers started indiscriminate firing in Ramgarh sector manned by BSF in which two civilians namely Nanak Raj and Ranjeet Singh sustained injuries.

He said the injured persons have been provided immediate relief @ Rs 5000 each. He said 211 persons have been shifted from Ramgarh to safer places. Schools in affected villages are closed. DC Samba and other officers have visited Ramgarh. He said Minister for Industries and Commerce has also visited Ramgarh.

Kathua

The Minister said that on January 19, 2018 firing started in Chadwal and Hiranagar sectors of Kathua district, in which 09 civilians got injured. He said the injured have been shifted to District Hospital Kathua for treatment. He said the schools in affected villages are closed and 160 persons have been shifted from Pansar Manyari to Hiranagar. He said the reports regarding cattle loss are being collected.

Rajouri

The Minister said that on 19-01-2018, at about 1840 hours, Pak rangers started indiscriminate firing at LoC manned by Army, which was retaliated. Firing from both the sides stopped at about 1915 hours, and fortunately no loss of life has been reported, he said.

Poonch

The Minister said that on 19.01.2018 at about 1735 Hours Pak Army started indiscriminate firing in Balakote sector in which one civilian namely Mohammad Sadam aged about 26 years S/0 Mohammad Iqbal Khan R/O Dabbi Triyathi, Balakote got injured and was shifted to District Hospital Rajouri for treatment. However, firing from both sides stopped at about 2130 hours, he said.

He said on 19-01-2018, at about 1805 hours, Pak Army started indiscriminate firing in Mankote sector manned by Army, which was retaliated. Firing from both the sides stopped at about 1955 hours. During the firing, he said, dry grass belonging to one Fazal Hussain S/O Jumma R/O Debraj, Mankote was gutted.

He said on 19-01-2018, at about 2000 hours, Pak Army started indiscriminate firing in Bandi Chechian sector manned by Army which was retaliated. Firing from both the sides stopped today on 20-01-2018, at about 0500 hours and fortunately, no loss has been reported so far, he said.