JAMMU : As many as 11 security personnel were killed while 24 others injured in 208 incidents of firing from across Lone of Control (LoC) in Jammu region last year, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today.
25 civilians were also injured in the firing from across the LoC.
In a written reply to a question of Congress member Sham Lal Bhagat in Legislative Council today, the Chief Minister said,”11 security personnel were killed and 25 civilians and 24 security force personnel were injured in 208 incidents of LoC firing in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch districts in 2013.”
Giving a break up, Omar said 9 security personnel were killed and seven securitymen and six civilians were injured in 143 incidents along LoC in Poonch district, followed by killing of one security man and injuries to 14 securitymen and 18 civilians in 41 incidents in Jammu district.
It was followed by killing of one security man and injury to one security man in 12 incidents in Samba district, followed by injuries to two security personnel and a civilian in 10 incidents of cross-border firing besides no casualties in two incidents of firing in Rajouri district, he said.
Omar said that an ex-gratia relief was paid as per norms notified by the state government.
Government is providing financial assistance to the handicapped persons, including those residing in border areas, under different schemes, Omar said, adding, however, there is no scheme exclusively meant for the payment of either compensation or rehabilitation of affected persons of border areas in general.
Rs 750 per month is being paid as a monthly pension to the persons rendered handicapped by cross-border shelling or firing, followed by Rs 400 per month to handicapped persons other than that, he said.
Meanwhile, speaking to a deputation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries (CCI), Jammu led by its president Y V Sharma, the chief minister said major projects in tourism, communication and beautification of cities of Srinagar and Jammu have been flagged as priority works.
“Projects like artificial lake, multi-tier car parking, Mubarak Mandi Ropeway and other tourism and communication related projects are being pushed forward on accelerated pace,” he said.
The Chief Minister said trade and tourism activities are receiving equal attention to rope in tourists in a large numbers and catapult economy.
He said development of industries is also a priority concern and various measures have been put in place in this direction.
The deputation extended gratitude to the Chief Minister for introduction of the Government Bill in the Legislative Assembly today titled J&K Civil Laws (Special Provision) Bill-2014, the LA Bill No 5 of 2014 aimed at formulating policy to deal with the unauthorised construction at Jammu, Srinagar and Katra.
The deputation also discussed matters pertaining to the growth and development of industries in the state. It also raised the issues pertaining to the creation of tourist infrastructure including hotels in various areas.
The Chief Minister said that the government is studying a proposal under which common sewerage treatment facility would be provided to the hotels as a cluster approach in the congested and high populated areas like Srinagar, Jammu, Katra, so that waste disposal management is properly addressed to protect the environment. (AGENCIES)
