Prioritise civilian safety, security, ensure swift rehabilitation in border areas: J&K DyCM

JAMMU — In the wake of the prevailing situation along the border areas, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary on Friday discussed public safety and sought suggestions regarding the evacuation and rehabilitation of the affected population at a high-level meeting with the district administration and prominent citizens of civil society in Rajouri district.

Additional District Development Commissioner, Dr Raj Kumar Thapa, briefed regarding the steps being taken by the district administration for the safety and security of people affected due to shelling near the Line of Control (LoC).

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy CM stated that the situation has escalated due to unprovoked provocation by Pakistan, necessitating precautionary measures to safeguard civilian lives.

He assured that both the UT and Central governments are fully committed towards ensuring the safety and timely evacuation of residents living in vulnerable areas.

During the meeting, various issues were raised by the public and civil society, including direct chopper service from Rajouri to Jammu for critical patients, deputation of officials for follow-up on patients being referred outside the UT, action against misuse of social media platforms, promotion of communal harmony and constitution of peace committees to prevent theft in vacated areas in case of migration, setting up of migrant camps in both government and private educational institutions, improvement of medical facilities at GMC Rajouri including a special ward for border shelling victims, availability of ambulances and generators at GMC, timely completion of 180-bedded hospital building at GMC and regulation of fare for transportation vehicles during the crisis.

The Deputy CM directed the authorities to prioritize civilian safety and security and ensure swift rehabilitation and assistance to the affected families.

He stressed the importance of maintaining communal harmony and urged coordination between civil society and administration in these testing times.

Prior to the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister visited the migrant camps set up at Thandikassi and interacted with the displaced families.

He also visited GMC Rajouri, where he took stock of medical arrangements and interacted with the patients, particularly those injured or shifted due to border shelling and issued directions for improving healthcare services and providing the best possible treatment to all affected individuals.