Jammu: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday visited Balakote area in Poonch District, close to Line of Control, and expressed grief over the death of five members of a family killed amid shelling by India and Pakistan armies in violation of 2003 truce yesterday.
The Chief Minister handed over cheques of Rs. 25 lakhs as ex gratia to the next of kin of the deceased.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh; Minister for Relief, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction & Disaster Management, Javed Mustafa Mir; legislators, Shah Muhammad Tantray, Choudhary Qamar and Yashpal Sharma accompanied the Chief Minister.
Mehbooba Mufti also handed over cheques of Rs. Three lacs each for meeting the educational expenses of the two daughters of the family who too were injured in yesterday’s shelling incident. She also announced bearing of all expenses coming on the treatment of these two surviving family members. She also assured that the brother of the deceased breadwinner of the family would be given job by the Government to sustain the family.
The Chief Minister also announced construction of 15 community bunkers in Balakote area besides stationing of one bunker vehicle for the help of the local people. Besides, she also announced strengthening of health facilities including a trauma hospital, road connectivity and other facilities in the area.
Chief Secretary, B B Vyas; Principal Secretary, Home, R K Goyal; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Hemant Sharma; IGP, Jammu zone, Dr. SDS Jamwal; senior officers of Army and Poonch district administration also accompanied the Chief Minister during her visit.
