HIRANAGAR: District Administration has evacuated and shifted 1,998 families from as many as 57 border villages so far. There are 9,597 persons in 34 different camps established across Hiranagar and Marheen Tehsils. Due to border shelling, 57 villages have been affected out of which 41 villages have been affected directly. Administration has earmarked 61 buildings as relief camps in various areas.
Since last evening, 12 more villages have been evacuated within 0-3 KM range from border and 16 more camps have been established. Camps have also been established for livestock. Special buses have been deployed for ferrying border residents during day time to look after their livestock and crops in respective areas.
DDC Kathua Dr Shahid Iqbal along with SSP Mohan Lal, ADDC N S Bali, SDM Hiramagar, SDPO Border Diwakar Singh and other district officers also visited forward areas along the border and assessed the prevailing situation. They also visited newly established camps and reviewed the amenities available.