In order to assess the border situation after the return of migrants to their homes from the make shift camps at various places, Speaker Tara Chand conducted an extensive tour of entire border of Chhamb sector in the accompany of whole district administration today. During the tour, Speaker made on spot study of various areas where villagers are facing problems due to certain restrictions imposed by army authorities at some entry points located along the zero line of LoC. He also interacted with the army officers and urged them to maintain congenial atmosphere with the civilians paving way for the locals to undertake agricultural activities without any fear and unnecessary restriction. He also issued instructions to Deputy Commissioner Jammu to take up the matter with the appropriate authorities for removing such restrictions. People of villages Somwan and Chaprial which are located just on the zero line and returned to their homes recently have been paid compensation for clearing fields turned barren due to non use for over 8 years. The land, which falls across the ditch, is being cleared by the army authorities, as the said area is under mines and remained under the army. The said area would be handed over to the locals shortly after demining. A large chunk of land falling across the fencing still under the occupation of army would also be handed over to the owners soon who have returned to their homes. The people have demanded compensation of 16 crops and immediate return of land so that they can undertake the agricultural activities. The people also demanded free rations for another six months, as they could not start the activities in the current crop season. People also demanded early allotment of plots for construction of alternate shelters at already identified migrant colony at Gurah Jagir and Nailwala. Locals also demanded opening of government reation depots at all affected villages and sought boring of tube wells for irrigational purposes. Speaker said that issue of free ration for another six months is pending with the central government and efforts are on to get the proposal through. Speaker also directed the Deputy Commissioner to take up the matter for early demining of remaining portion of land with the army authorities and vigorously pursue the issue of compensation with the Government of India. He said that state government has already received central government's nod to a proposal of Rs. 20 crore for establishing sizeable number of tube wells alongwith necessary infrastructure in the Khour block.
