The coalition Government in Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday said that around 5,000 families have been affected by the recent barrage of border shelling from Pakistan in Jammu region resulting into displacement of 20, 000 people to safer places. Both houses of legislature, which is holding the ultimate session before announcement of polls later this year, were rocked by the protests against border shelling and delay in offering amnesty to alleged stone-throwers and citizens detained in jails.
The Government, however, refused to pass a resolution urging the Governments of India and Pakistan to stop targeting each other on the border and line of Control (loC). The demand for the resolution had come from several legislators cutting across the party lines.
Three members of National Panther's Party shouted anti-Pakistan slogans while demanding a discussion in the House on plight of the border residents.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo that as many as 5,000 families of 21 villages in R S Pura, 9 in Bishnah and 15 villages of Jammu tehsil which fall within 1 km radius of International Border have been affected due to cross border firing in the Jammu Division. The Minister said that the incidents of ceasefire violations from across the border have considerably increased in the recent past, particularly in Jammu Division. "On August 23 father-son duo were killed and 15 others were injured in the firing. An ex-gratia relief was provided to the members of deceased family while as the injured persons were admitted to Government Medical College, Jammu for treatment", he informed.
Earlier Panthers' Party legislator Harsh Dev Singh described the border situation as alarming and demanded immediate measures for the safety of border people. He also called for construction of shelters at safer zones for their temporary rehabilitation. He sought intervention of India and Pakistan to stop firing and restoring permanent peace on the borders. Deputy Speaker Sartaj Madni suggested passing a revolution by the House pressing both India and Pakistan to stop border firing and restoring peace.
The BJP's Chaman lal Gupta called for collective efforts by Central and State Governments to defuse the border tension. He sought adequate compensation for the affected people.
Sheikh Abdur Rashid demanded said that resolution of Kashmir issue was the panacea for the ailments plaguing Jammu and Kashmir since 1947. He said a jingoistic approach towards Pakistan was not the solution but a policy of rapprochement would bring down hostilities and usher the region into permanent peace.
In the Upper House, PDP legislator Nayeem Akhtar suggested to send a message to India and Pakistan that people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted peace and tranquillity.
"let's send a clear message to both these countries that the people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace. It is the people of Kashmir, who are paying the price of ceasefire violations along loC and IB", he said.
National Conference member Davinder Singh Rana said that people of Kashmir were the sufferers of cross-border shelling between India and Pakistan. "India and Pakistan exchange fire on the loC and IB but it is we (people of Kashmir), who are suffering by the shelling and firing," he said.
"During the current year up to August 23, 36 ceasefire violations have been reported along the loC only in Poonch district," Ajay Sadhotra, Minister of Planning said.
The Assembly witnessed heated debate between legislators of the Opposition PDP and the treasury bench over the government's delay to offer amnesty to youngsters detained in jails or booked for their involvement in stone-pelting. Rural Development Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar said that the amnesty package was on cards and the government would announce it in a short time.