Safety from shells, mental health awareness drive held at GGHS Uri

Baramulla, May 25: In a significant step towards community safety and psychological well-being, a comprehensive awareness drive focused on Unexploded ordnance (UXO) safety and mental health amidst recurring cross-border shelling was held at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Uri on Sunday.

Organised by the South Asia Centre for Peace and Peoples Empowerment (SACPPE) and led by its President Umar Bhat, the initiative aimed to educate students and local residents on the identification, avoidance, and reporting of explosive remnants of war.

Dr Jagmeet Singh from IMHANS Srinagar spoke about the mental health consequences of prolonged conflict exposure, urging timely intervention and resilience building.

SACPPE members Rameez Raja and Umar Gul emphasised the significance of shell recognition, community vigilance, and swift reporting mechanisms.

Zonal Education Officer Uri, Javed Gani Banday, underscored the pressing need for continuous awareness efforts in border communities, while school Principal Manzoor Ahmad Chalkoo shared measures being adopted to safeguard students.

The event witnessed active involvement from SHO Uri Mudasir Ahmad, SDRF, and Civil Defence teams. Informational Education and Communication (IEC) material was distributed among the participants, reinforcing the message that collective awareness, mental health support, and coordinated agency efforts are crucial to protecting vulnerable populations in high-risk zones.