Even though guns have fallen silent along the International Border in Jammu frontier since late Saturday night, hundreds of border residents continue to struggle for their safety in harsh winter season away from the comfort zones of their own houses.
Due to constant fear lurking in their minds not many border residents who were evacuated from forward villages in Samba and Kathua districts on Saturday returned to their homes and hearths on Sunday. Uneasy calm prevailed across several forward villages where streets remain deserted and most of the shops remained closed with shutters down. Only handful of men folk are staying put in forward villages to feed their livestock and look after their houses. The carcass of livestock killed in firing on Saturday were seen lying on the roadside while several injured animals were struggling to survive in the absence of any medical care.
The worst affected of the lot were small children, senior citizens and women folk who have to brave harsh weather conditions in shelter homes without having adequate facilities at their disposal. The State Government agencies, State police and Army personnel have pooled in resources at their disposal to provide basic food and other essential items to beat the winter chill but they are proving to be inadequate at various places.
According to the sources, the district administration in Kathua is currently running 10 relief camps at Haria Chak, Hiranagar, Nagial, Plat, Chak Kanha, Banyari, Chadwal, Sherpur, Nagri and Sallan where 1,841 migrants belonging to 491 families have been provided safe accommodation and basic amenities. More than 2,500 people had migrated from 11 forward villages in Kathua on Saturday.
Around 1,000 people were taking shelter at several relief camps in Samba while unconfirmed reports claimed large number of border residents have shifted to houses of their near and dear ones to ensure safety of their children in extreme weather conditions. Group of women staying in a famous temple along the National Highway near Samba complained, “the Army personnel have provided them food and other essential items but the district authorities have not reached them with any help”.
The women complained, “due to intense cold wave conditions they are more worried for their children and elderly as it is getting difficult to survive away from their homes”. Nisha Devi claimed, “Since their village fall in the direct line of fire they cannot think of returning home till both the neighbouring countries decide to acknowledge ceasefire agreement”. She said when Pakistani guns roar it becomes difficult for them to stay put in their village and they had to shift to safer places.
Meanwhile, the BSF authorities have beefed up their defences to meet any challenge from across the border. The BSF jawans have enhanced their patrolling along the International border to prevent any mischief and foil any possible infiltration bid. According to recent intelligence inputs, small groups of trained militants have been camping near the launching pads along the International border waiting for their turn to sneak inside the Indian territory. The intelligence reports have also claimed that a gathering of people on the Pakistan side of the border was heard shouting slogans in praise of JuD Chief and mastermind of Mumbai terror attack Hafiz Sayeed.