Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday made a fervent appeal to the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Central Government to announce a comprehensive rehabilitation and relief package for families affected by cross-border shelling in the frontier districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara, and Baramulla.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mufti said she recently visited several border areas that have borne the brunt of frequent shelling and ceasefire violations, including Uri in Baramulla district and the remote villages of Keran and Tanghdar in Kupwara district. According to her, the situation on the ground is alarming, with hundreds of families rendered homeless and many others living in constant fear and insecurity.
“I visited some of the shelling-hit areas like Uri in Baramulla, and Keran and Tanghdar in Kupwara. The level of destruction is heartbreaking. Homes have been reduced to rubble, families have lost their livelihood, and children are unable to attend school due to the constant threat of shelling. These people are the worst sufferers of geopolitical tensions and they deserve more than just sympathy — they deserve a structured rehabilitation package,” Mehbooba Mufti said.
She emphasized that while ceasefire agreements between India and Pakistan have brought relative calm in recent years, sporadic violations continue to endanger civilian lives. She added that border residents have been repeatedly promised aid and protection, but those promises have largely remained unfulfilled.
“The people living along the Line of Control are not asking for luxuries; they are simply asking for safety, shelter, and a dignified life. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure they are not forgotten,” she stated.
Mufti proposed that the government should not only provide immediate relief in terms of housing, compensation, and medical care but also take long-term measures to develop the infrastructure in these vulnerable regions. She called for construction of permanent bunkers, better healthcare access, education facilities, and employment opportunities for border residents.
The PDP chief also urged the Lieutenant Governor-led administration to conduct a fresh assessment of damages in the affected areas and work in coordination with local representatives to ensure timely disbursement of aid.
“The sufferings of these people should not be reduced to statistics. They need urgent help, and they need it now,” she asserted.
Mufti’s remarks come amid growing concern over the living conditions of border residents, especially in light of recent incidents of cross-border firing that have caused casualties and extensive property damage(DD)
