Sajid Raina
Karnah, May 13: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan is the will of the people living along the border, and not a demand driven by TV anchors in far-off cities.
Speaking with reporters during his visit to shelling-affected Karnah, the Chief Minister said locals have suffered financial losses, but thankfully, there has been no loss of life.
He said the district administration is currently assessing the damage and compensation will be provided once the assessment is completed. “We will complete the damage assessment today or tomorrow. Whatever compensation needs to be given, we will do that,” he assured.
Omar said the community bunkers had been built earlier but were not used for a long time. “New bunkers have not been constructed in many years. People are now demanding individual bunkers. The government has a policy, and we will formulate a scheme for those living near the border and the LOC,” he added.
The CM said the J&K government will also speak to the central government about the issue.
He said the people of border areas want the ceasefire to continue. “Only some TV anchors sitting far away in Noida and Mumbai don’t like the ceasefire. The people who live near the border and the LoC want it to remain,” he said.
Regarding compensation norms, Omar said that under the SDRF rules, shops are not eligible for compensation. “A special package will be required. This isn’t just about Karnah. There are other areas like Uri, Rajouri, and Poonch where people need assistance,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said the government will do everything possible to support the shelling-affected people and help them rebuild what has been lost.
“During my visit to Tangdhar today, I saw homes and vehicles lay charred by relentless shelling. The scale of destruction is heartbreaking. Standing with the affected families in this hour of grief. We will do everything possible to support them and help rebuild what has been lost,” the Office of Chief Minister, J&K, wrote on X.
Omar visited the Sub District Tangdhar (SDH) and met the doctors and staff there. He hailed them for standing “firm in the face of crisis, saving lives without thinking of their own”, the tweet stated.
The CM assured that the hospitals in border areas will be further strengthened and equipped to effectively handle emergencies in future.
Omar also inspected the community bunkers in Tangdhar. “We will ensure the construction of more such safer spaces to protect and support our people living in border areas,” he said.
