Not Only During Conflicts, But Focus on Border Areas Even in Peace Time: BADC
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu, 10/July/ 2025: The Jammu and Kashmir Border Area Development Conference (JK BADC), an organisation working for the welfare of border and tribal communities of J & K has appealed to the Union Government and the J & K administration to give attention to border areas in time of peace and not just during conflicts.
The organisation said it is very unfortunate that the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and their people are ignored by the Government of India, political parties, Leaders, constitutional bodies, and even the national media during peaceful times. They only show concern to the border resident when there is a crisis, while the daily problems and needs of people living near the border are forgotten.
Citing the example of Operation ‘Sindoor’, which took place in May 2025 after Pahalgam Terror Attack, the BADC pointed out that several innocent civilians lost their lives in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir and many others were injured due to cross border shelling. It was only then that political leaders and media turned their attention towards these areas, but just for a short while. There was a race between the Political Leaders, News Channels and ‘five star’ journalists to visit Rajouri and Poonch in the month of May-2025 but after ceasefire they vanished.
Dr Shazad Ahmed Malik, Chairman of JK BADC and former Vice Chancellor, said that real development in border areas should happen when there is peace. “If we work on Infrastructure development during peace time, it will help not only the local people but the Nation in future conflicts,” he said.
He also said that border residents are like unarmed soldiers. “They are the front-line warriors who, without any weapons and incentive, protect the nation’s integrity and sovereignty.”
Dr Malik also repeated a long-pending demand of his organization for setting up a separate body like a Border Area Development Authority(BADA) that can specially look after the needs of people living in border areas. This body should include experts from both civilian and defence backgrounds to make proper plans and take quick action.
He said that the problems of border areas are different from other regions. These places need special planning, keeping in mind both development and national security. Regular government departments cannot handle this responsibility alone. That is why there is a strong need for a dedicated authority to take care of the overall development of border areas in Jammu and Kashmir wherein officers and experts from both civil and non civilian departments join hands to formulate development policy and their execution.DD
