Karnah, May 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday 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.
Speaking with reporters, during his visit to shelling-affected Karnah, CM Omar 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.
He said the community bunkers had been built earlier but were not used for a long time. “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 added.
He said the state government will also speak to the central government about the issue.
CM Omar said the people of border areas want the ceasefire to continue. “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.
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. (KNO)
