STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In the run up to Deepawali celebrations in Hindu dominated areas of Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts, Pak rangers have stepped up their activities to dislodge large population from their homes and hearths.
After escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) in the aftermath of surgical strikes, Pak troops have started shifting their focus area to the International Border (IB) in plains of Jammu.
Following repeated incidents of ceasefire violations and continuous attempts of infiltration, the general masses in the area have been living under the shadow of guns. On Friday, when the district authorities rushed Rakshak vehicles to some of the forward villages in Hiranagar sector to evacuate border residents they resisted their attempts but later had to succumb to the official diktat.
“We cannot afford to leave behind villagers especially when we are anticipating fresh exchange of fire and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan along the IB”, a senior revenue officer of Hiranagar said.
On the other hand large number of villagers came down heavily on the false promises made by the politicians from almost all the political parties to rehabilitate border residents at safer places.
“We have been duped by these politicians as they have failed to provide us 5 Marlas of land to rebuild our homes at safer places”, the villagers complained in the forward areas of Hiranagar.
“Every season Pak rangers pound our villages and we have to rush to safety to save our lives. We want and urge Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deploy army along with BSF and launch fresh offensive to give befitting reply to Pakistan”.
The villagers claimed that they are not worried for their safety but what they want from the government is firm and decisive response to silence Pak guns so that people can live in peace.