Jammu: Tension on the Line of Control and the international border directly impacts the tranquillity and development process in Jammu and Kashmir and endangers life and property of the people, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said yesterday.
“Ceasefire violations and shelling not only make the people leave their homes, but severely hamper agricultural operations causing economic stress to border people,” Abdullah said during an interaction with farmers near Chinore Farm, 25km from here.
The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the status of ceasefire and hoped that it would continue for the larger interest of people, particularly farmers residing in the frontier.
The chief minister hoped that India and Pakistan would resolve all issues through dialogue. Abdullah enquired about the welfare of the people and about the prevailing situation and the status of their agricultural activities. He gave directions to officials of the agriculture department to provide help to the border area farmers. He asked the department to make better seeds, fertilizers and other agricultural inputs adequately available to the agriculturists.
Abdullah also announced the setting up of a committee headed by the state chief secretary to look into the use of a controversial area of land as a firing range by the army. Villagers have been protesting the use of the Tosha Maidan area in central Badgam district.
Tensions have been rising as villagers argue that the firing range was posing a threat to their lives and property. Chairing a civil-military liaison conference at Nagrota in Jammu district, the chief minister emphasised the need for strengthening the liaison to address speedily and amicably issues concerning the two.
He constituted a committee headed by state Chief Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Khandey to look into various land-related cases. In the case of the Tosha Maidan firing range, it was decided that a committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary will look into all aspects of the matter and suggest various viable options.
Abdullah appreciated and commended the role of the army in protecting the country and safeguarding the people from external and internal threats as also rendering invaluable service during calamities and other challenges.
IANS
