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| Politicians promise stars to border residents as Uri people await bunkers | | | Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 3: The tall claims of politicians about rehabilitation of border dwellers notwithstanding, the hapless souls continue to suffer for want of shelter and other amenities. Awaiting measures to protect themselves from cross border shelling, they live in constant fear.
It has been years since Uri administration submitted a proposal for 3000 bunkers for people living along the line of control, but nothing has moved to this day.
"People along the LoC have to bear the brunt. Many people have got injured in last few days. Despite that government did not approve bunkers for residents of Uri living along the LoC," an official said. "Politicians are only making hue and cry and doing nothing for border residents," the official added.
On Friday Reyaz Ahmad Khan (30) of Gagi Madya Kamalkote got injured when he came out of bunker to check on his sheep. As he was walking, a mortal shell exploded nearby, leaving his injured.
The Uri subdivision comprises around 1.25 lakh people and in case of any escalation, more than 40,000 people from border villages, circling the main town, are directly impacted. The town is surrounded by the LoC on three sides. "Urusa, Silikote, Shoura, Churunda, Tilawari, Chakara, Guwati, Muripatti, and villages from Hajipeer area like Budna, Alawadi are most affected along the LoC by skirmishes," Bashir said, while discussing with a group of people about the possible fallout on their everyday lives if tensions escalated between the two countries.
Tensions escalate between the neighbouring countries since the Pulwama attack. In north Kashmir's Bamarulla district, people of Uri along the LoC live under constant fear.
"On Wednesday morning, we were sleeping when we heard noises of jet aircrafts. We were petrified that war has started. We thought as bombs may be dropped and will be end of our lives," said Javeed Ahmad, a resident of Urusa, Uri. "We could not sleep on Thursday night as we were worried that we may be targeted from across the border," he added.
Urusa is one of the villages in Uri on the heels of the LoC. It is the last village of this part of Kashmir, where late President APJ Abdul Kalam Azad visited after the 2005 devastating earth quake.
Another resident of Uri, Ghulam Ahmad, said that 35 villages of Uri along the line of control live under fear. "There has been tension from Kamalkote area of Uri for last so many days. People of these villages have been advised not to come out of homes unnecessarily. They also have been told to keep children inside doors," he said.
Senior officials of Uri administration have visited the area. Following which a control room has been set up for any emergency.
The officials have been directed to remain alert and arrangements have been kept at girls' higher secondary Uri for villagers stay in case of any eventuality.
Observers said in south Kashmir which is seen as PDP bastion, the party had been getting strength during elections mainly from the Jamaat vote bank.
"There is no doubt the cadres of Jamaat would collectively vote for PDP, but once the outfit is banned the cadres won't be voting as one voice and thus the benefit is likely to be taken by the NC," the politician said.
He said even if the Jamaat activities refrain from voting in the upcoming polls, that will also benefit the NC.
"If PDP doesn't get more of votes in the elections, it will definitely help the NC," said the politician.
A source in the NC said the party was "internally happy" over the ban on Jamaat.
"This is going to benefit us in the next elections," said a NC leader on the condition of anonymity.
Despite repeated attempts the NC leadership couldn't be contacted for comments. |
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