SRINAGAR: People’s Conference (PC) chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, on Tuesday said that people living in border areas suffer the most whenever tensions rise between India and Pakistan.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to the shelling-hit areas of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Lone said, “War punishes the most those who have the least to do with it — our border population.”
He expressed concern over the damage caused by the recent cross-border shelling, saying families have lost homes, livelihoods, and their sense of security. “We will urge the government to fully and fairly compensate these losses,” he said.
Lone stressed that since the destruction was caused by a conflict between nations, it would be unjust to expect affected residents to rebuild on their own. “It would be disgraceful if they had to spend even a single rupee. These people didn’t bring war upon themselves,” he said.
He criticised the current relief and rehabilitation measures, calling them inadequate. “If we want these families to rebuild their lives, the government must come up with an out-of-the-box compensation system, based on a proper and transparent assessment,” he said.
On the issue of bunkers, Lone said all forward-area residents should be included under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) with a provision for underground shelters. “These people are on the frontline and can’t be left exposed. Bunkers are a basic necessity for them,” he said.
He assured residents of his full support across all platforms. “Wherever the people need to go for relief, I will stand with them. They are not alone,” he added.
The MLA further said that war has never delivered a lasting solution. “It only brings destruction and misery. We must move beyond violence,” he said. (KNO)
