J-K Cong team visits shelling-hit hamlets in Poonch

A team of Jammu and Kashmir Congress leaders today visited border hamlets that were affected by Pakistan's shelling in Poonch and demanded rehabilitation of people living on the border areas to safer places.
Led by former MP and minister Madan Lal Sharma, the team visited Balakote and Mendhar belts of Poonch district to take stock of the situation and expressed full support to the people.
They visited the house of deceased sarpanch Karamat Hussain and condoled his family. They also met families of other civilians killed in the shelling.
Sharma said that he, his party and the whole nation is with the people of Balakote and other affected areas of Poonch and Rajouri at this difficult juncture.

"Pakistan is resorting to unprovoked firing with heavy weaponry on civilian population which is inhumane and condemnable," he said.
While interacting with the inhabitants of the area, Sharma assured full support to them and demanded construction of concrete bunkers and insurance to life and property of the border residents.

He demanded land for border residents at safer zones away from the LoC with the provision of construction of their houses.
He condemned the "criminal silence" of BJP-led NDA Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reminded them of their pre-election assurances made to the border people.
He urged the Prime Minister to ensure the security and safety of the people and demanded compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of those killed at par with the victims of militant attack, besides a job to the next of their kin.

A woman was killed and five persons were injured yesterday as Pakistani troops intensified shelling on border posts and civilian areas in Poonch and Rajouri in continued ceasefire violations that have claimed six lives, drawing strong protest from India.