Shelling -affected people in Karnah list demand for individual bunkers

CM Omar visited shelling-affected areas near LoC in Karnah

STC NEWS DESK
KARNAH, MAY 13 (STC): Even as the community bunkers had been built earlier on the Loc but were not used for a long time, the inhabitants have demanded construction of individual bunkers.
The demand was listed by the people living near LoC villages in Karnah to the J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He visited shelling-affected areas and interacted with the affected families.
The Chief Minister said, “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 said the state government will also speak to the central government about the issue.
Commenting on the ceasefire, the CM 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.
“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.
Speaking with reporters, he said that locals have suffered financial losses, but thankfully there has been no loss of life.
He said that 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 said.
Regarding compensation norms, he 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. (STC)