Army lights up 200 more mud houses in higher reaches of JK

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Continuing its efforts to extend a helping hand to the needy, the Army distributed 200 more solar lights among the nomadic communities living in the high altitude areas here in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Army's Rashtriya Rifles unit based in Bhadarwah has so far distributed over 17,000 such lights among the Gujjars and Bakerwals under its 'Project Roshni'(light).

In the latest initiative, the troops distributed 200 solar lights among the floating population residing in 'Dhoks' (mud houses) on high altitude meadows, including Naag lootan, Padri, Bhal Padri, Qatari, Machora, Satlad, Biddi, Qatari Gali, Chipli and Bashot of Bhaderwah Valley, an Army officer told PTI.

He said troops of the four Rashtriya Rifles led by second-in-command Major Ambresh Mahanta after trekking nine Kilometres reached Satlad meadow, 49 km from Bhadarwah town, to distribute 90 solar lights among the people, followed by distribution of 110 lights at Bhal Padri meadow this week.

Village head and imam of Jamia Masjid in Bhal Padri, Choudhary Sadiq, said this gesture of the Army would go a long way in cementing the bond between the tribes and the forces.

About 30,000 Gujjar and Bakerwal people migrate to the high altitude meadows of the region and dwell there for summer months.