14,000 bunkers to come up on LoC, IB

With increasing ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has approved constructing over 14,000 bunkers on the Line of Control and International Border at a cost of Rs 415 crore to ensure the safety of those living in these areas.

At a high-level meeting to review the progress of Department of Jammu and Kashmir Affairs in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Singh asked officials to take measures to expedite construction of bunkers along the IB and LoC so that border residents can stay in safety.

The decision came as there were at least 1,252 ceasefire violations by Pakistan this year alone.

The building of bunkers — 1,431 community and more than 13,000 individual bunkers — will take place in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts, officials said.

Singh also expressed satisfaction at the developments in Kashmir, saying there has been a significant drop in stone-pelting incidents since the government announced suspension of operations during Ramazan.

He has already indicated that the government may extend the suspension of operations beyond Ramazan.

At the meeting, the home minister also directed that compensation for livestock be increased to Rs 50,000 from Rs 30,000 presently.

He was also informed that compensation to victims of cross-border firing has been approved at NDRF rates and the limit of three milch animals removed for losses incurred upon livestock.

Singh also directed to expedite the raising of two new border battalions of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and that the recruitment be completed by March 2019.

Besides, MHA officials said, India Reserve Battalions (IRB) are also being raised and 4,690 youths have been recruited for this, who will start joining next month.

Also, 6,689 special police officers have been appointed out of a total of 10,000 new posts sanctioned.