 S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
BARAMULLA, Feb 27: Due to the escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, almost thirty fie villages that are living close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector will be hit.
"Over the past few years we have seen that fear grips the border areas. In 1998 when Pakistan resorted to heavy firing on this side of Line of Control (LoC), we lost lives as well as property in Uri," said Irshad Ahmad Khowja of Uri.
Talking to Early Times he said that, the then government had announced underground bunkers and people were given some cash of rupees twenty thousands, but that didn't last long.
"In 2005 earthquake, all those bunkers got badly damaged, now at some places the people are still living in tin sheds and maximum have brick made houses, but whenever there is a ceasefire violation from the other side of LoC, these structures didn't work," said another resident of Uri.
Nusrat Akhter of Isham area said that, their village is very close to the LoC, at the time of retaliation, people went to safer places, because nobody knows whose bullet will hit you. "We are living in a fear and I believe that war is not an option; both the countries of India and Pakistan should sit together and resolve their issues amicably, both the countries have a capability of nuclear items, and in their war mongering and hatred, common masses are going to hit," said Nusrat.
Sources said that, if there was any kind of war like situation villages that will hit include Charunda, Batgran, Slikote, Tilawari, Hatlanga, Isham, Soura, Balakote, Mardia, Uroosa, Chakra, Sultandaki, Thajal, Garkote, Nambla, Laghama, Uri town and other adjacent areas.
Upto 11:00 am today few shells landed in Kamalkote nallah near Kalgi, but there is no loss of life and property reported, and people were shifted to safer places, and since afternoon, everything was as normal like other days.
"Though fact of the matter is that, i didn't sleep through the night as the planes were roaring in the skies, and in the morning, after which I came to know that IAF planes had crossed the LoC, but now the people have returned to their places, and we hope the things will be normal soon," sources told Early Times. |
