After the ceasefire announcement

After the announcement of Indo-Pak ceasefire, the focus of Jammu and Kashmir government has now shifted on the relief and rehabilitation of the people, affected by cross border artillery shelling. Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have been meeting the affected people and assuring them all possible help. The shelling caused massive devastation in the civilian areas of the border districts. Poonch district was worst affected. Thirteen persons including two minor twin siblings were killed. Dr Raj Kumar Thapa Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Rajouri also lost his life. A number of people were injured. Not only precious lives were lost but residential houses, business establishments, government buildings and places of worship too suffered heavy damage. The residents had to leave for safer places to save their lives. The authorities established shelter and lodging centres for them at a few places.

Since now the situation in border areas is limping back to normal after the ceasefire announcement, the relief and rehabilitation measures have to be taken up on large scale, and effectively. The people living along LoC and international border are waiting for restarting their normal lives. For that the government is playing its role.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the entire nation stands in solidarity with the affected families. He added that the Government of India and the Union Territory Administration are committed to ensure their safety and security. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his visit to the affected areas said that the assessment of damage and losses will be completed within few days and after that the relief and rehabilitation measures will begin. He said, "While no compensation can replace a lost life, it is our responsibility to provide immediate support and Rs 10 lakh relief announced by me to each family of the deceased is not a measure of the value of life, but a step to help them cope during this difficult time." Omar added that people want continuation of the ceasefire. "This situation was not of our making. Our neighboring country chose to target innocent civilians on our side of the border. This is both deeply saddening and unacceptable”, he said.

Restarting the normal life by the affected people is very important. But for that the situation should remain peaceful. It is being hoped that the ceasefire gets strengthened with every passing day and that there are no ceasefire violations from Pakistan side. The people have already suffered badly and they should not suffer further. There must not be any further loss of life or damage to property. Those who have lost their family members must be adequately compensated and whose houses have been damaged provided solid financial support to rebuild their houses. The damaged buildings of educational institutions and health facilities too have to be reconstructed at the earliest.

Peace is like a blessing particularly for the people living in border areas. The ceasefire not only protects their lives but also allows them to live a normal life like the other people in non- border areas.

During the relief and rehabilitation work, better coordination at government level is needed. All those involved in the work have to work with proper coordination. There should be proper assessment of the damage and losses so that the affected people are compensated in time. Any unnecessary delay in the process should be avoided. The government at the top level has expressed its seriousness to help and support the affected people. The visits of Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to affected people is a step in this direction. Even the opposition parties' leaders too have been visiting the affected people to have the first hand account of their sufferings. They have expressed deep shock over the loss of lives and damage to the property. The leadership have appealed the government to help the affected people significantly. The civil society too can play its role in extending a helping hand. It is a collective responsibility to help the impacted people at this difficult time.

Author is senior editor,

Greater Kashmir