Permanent ceasefire will end border residents' sufferings: Mehbooba

Kupwara, May 18: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has called for a permanent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, so that the people living in border areas may not have to face the brunt again. PDP chief made these remarks, during her visit to border town Karnah, where she met families that have seen destruction caused by the shelling recently.

Mehbooba said that the government should come up with a comprehensive rehabilitation package for the affected families who have suffered massive losses in the shelling. "These people never yearn for war, yet they live its horror. The pictures of the shattered property here reveal silent screams of loss, fear and desperate desire for permanent solace," she said.

She said that the current compensation of Rs 1.2 lakh for shelling affected people was simply not enough. "People here and in other border areas of Jammu and Kashmir have endured huge losses. Therefore the government must increase financial aid and come up with substantial housing assistance to the affected families so that they can construct their houses afresh," she said.

"Instead of asking for schools and hospitals these people are forced to demand for individual bunkers which tells about the ground reality and most importantly their fear with the recent shelling" she said. She stated that the local and central governments must recognise the region's vulnerability, especially in light of insurance denials by banks citing 'wartime conditions', “If such was the case, then this area must be declared a war zone and shall be offered a full rehabilitation package" she lamented. Mehbooba met the affected families whose houses have been reduced to rubble by the shelling. She welcomed the diplomatic initiative, under which Parliamentarians are being sent out of India to explain the country's position.