 Early Times Report
arnia, Sept 23: Exposing administration's claims the residents of Arnia sector said that compensation is nothing but a joke, "we have not received just a single penny, what they call compensation, however, during past six years we have applied for same many times.
Expressing their anger the border residents said that they sold out even their cattle for treatment and surgeries of their injuries due to cross border firing. "I received splinter injuries on my right shoulder in 2014, we run pillar to post seeking financial assistance from administration to overcome expensive occurred due to injuries", said Natha Ram, (70), adding that he has to sold his Oxen to pay for treatment.
He said that he was not lone person, who went through this crisis, even every third person in live in the area has same story. "I visited Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jammu many times since 2014, seeking compensation for treatment, but time and again we were told the compensation amount will be transferred in Tehsil's account, who further distribute the relief, but unfortunately, after lapse of five years, the administration's assurances have turned a joke for us", he said.
Krishana Devi, who survived with multiple splinter injuries on her legs, said that they left treatment in mid way and returned home due to poverty. "I spent eight days in Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu, during my stay at hospital my family was unable, even to provide me food their, medicines and other expenses were out of our reach, so we returned home without removal of splinters, it is very painful that i could not get treatment despite government's claim to provide us with compensation and more", she added.
Rakesh Kumar of Arnia Sector, who lost his left arm, said that now they have lost faith in all leaders and the administration. "Firing has destroyed us physically, financially and socially. Nothing left with us, most of the border resident suffering with disabilities' due to bullets and mortars injuries. Our houses are damaged. Our relatives avoid visiting us, being near border. Leaders claim that plots, houses, jobs will be given us, but we get nothing even after change of guard at Delhi twice since 2014", he said.
Likewise family of Mela Ram is suffering of acute financial crunch. "My husband is mentally-abled man and has been victim of cross border firing. He has three splitters on his shoulder, but the family cannot afford treatment expenses. I'm earning little bit amount by doing menial works for some houses, but it is not enough to even meet daily household needs", she added.
In the Arnia Tehsil only there are several hundred people victim of border firing, but unfortunately, they didnot get anything from the administration. "I appeal the Governor J&K Satya Pal Malik, kindly visit border areas meet people to get firsthand information from ground, bureaucracy is misleading you sir", they resident said.
The residents also termed bunkers constructed in the area a major scandal. "It is difficult for us to survive here during firing, if you remain out of bunker you will die of bullets, but if you inside certainly you will die of snakebite in the water logged bunkers", they said, adding that contractors and the government agencies which executed bunkers' works preferred only profit our their safety.
"We feel suffocation inside the bunkers during summer and monsoon, we appeal the senior officers of administration to come here and spend few hours in the bunkers to know our sufferings", they said, adding that leaders make our suffering their elections' manifesto, but forget when elections are over for next gives years. |
