CM Omar reviews situation in border districts

Srinagar, May 8: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday chaired a meeting for the second straight day with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all border districts through virtual mode to take stock of the prevailing situation in the wake of cross-border shelling.

The meeting was convened to review the preparedness and readiness of district authorities in responding to exigencies, evacuation measures and safeguarding the lives and properties of residents in the affected areas.

In his remarks, the CM emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts to ensure the seamless provision of essential supplies and services, including food, water, electricity and medical care.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Additional Chief Secretary to CM, Dheeraj Gupta; Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu; Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department and Information, Commissioner Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs; Secretary Health and Medical Education; DCs of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora, and Director Information who attended the meeting in person and Deputy Commissioners through video conferencing.

Both Divisional Commissioners and the respective DCs briefed the CM on the ground situation, availability of essential commodities, medical supplies and basic amenities.

The DCs also briefed the meeting about the temporary shifting of some populations to safer zones, particularly at lodgement centres. CM Omar directed ensuring the availability of basic amenities including food, sanitation, water and power supply in these lodgement facilities.

He was informed that adequate stocks of ration and other essential commodities have been kept in readiness at all strategic locations.

The CM instructed concerned officials to ensure uninterrupted supply chains.

Regarding emergency healthcare, he was briefed about the availability of blood and medical supplies, and availability of doctors in Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and district hospitals, and he emphasised the need for maintaining reserve stocks in need of emergency.

CM Omar also directed that senior doctors be deputed to key hospitals in the affected districts to strengthen emergency medical response and ensure specialised care for the injured.

He further instructed the administration to facilitate swift transportation of critically injured victims to tertiary care hospitals outside their districts, using critical care ambulances so that timely and advanced medical treatment is provided without delay.

Further, the CM directed that additional ambulances be deployed in vulnerable areas to ensure swift medical response and evacuation, wherever needed.

Taking serious note of casualties and injuries caused due to shelling, he directed that ex-gratia relief be disbursed immediately to the next of kin of deceased and injured persons.

CM Omar further instructed that all required formalities be expedited so that financial assistance – including support from the PM CARES Fund and other relief sources - be processed without delay. He instructed the concerned DCs to undertake field visits to the affected villages and ensure the presence of senior officers of line departments on the ground to monitor the situation closely. The CM also directed the concerned DCs to ensure that law enforcement agencies step up vigilance in vulnerable areas, especially to protect properties left behind by families who may have temporarily relocated to safer zones. He commended the efforts of the officers for their measures in these testing times to safeguard people’s lives and ensure their well-being.