Take measures for border people's safety

It is surprising to note that India is yet to take measures for the safety of its people living along the IB and the LoC which continue to be the target of Pakistan since Independence. All know that Pakistan resorts to unprovoked shelling and firing every year before Republic Day and other such important occasions to infiltrate terrorists but, in the process, border residents suffer a lot. Some of them get killed, some get injured while the entire population becomes homeless in the wake of their migration to safer places. While the Pak firing is almost a routine affair now, the government is yet to take steps for providing border residents either 5 marla plots or make some other arrangements for them so that they shift there temporarily whenever there is Pak firing. Firing before the onset of winters is done by Islamabad with the specific purpose of infiltrating terrorists into the Indian territory. To keep the Kashmir pot boiling, Islamabad tries to infiltrate as much terrorists as possible before the mountain passes in Kashmir, Rajouri and Poonch get covered with snow. However, to foil any intrusion bid, border troops remain on high alert 24x7. The border residents too are asked to remain vigilant on the days of firing and tip forces about any suspicious movement. A few months back, some locals had alerted troops after picking up the movement of about three to four suspects in Samba Industrial Estate area, doing the duty of responsible citizens. Two days back also, a youth in Rajbagh area had alerted cops on seeing three suspected youth who carried bags on their shoulders. Taking the Basantar route in the area, militants used to enter Ramnagar woods of Udhampur via nullahs and other river bodies. Since Pakistan has been making all out efforts to infiltrate terrorists into J&K, it becomes all the more important for the border forces to maintain extra vigil all along the borders with Pakistan. Scores of terrorists are said to be waiting on the launch pads across the borders for an opportune moment to sneak into the Indian territory.

To neutralise them on the borders itself, forces must activate all their resources and kill them as soon as they come to this side. Once the infiltrating terrorists skip the first killer bullet, it takes many bullets to eliminate them later. Hence a fool-proof system ought to evolved on the borders so that no infiltrator is able to enter India. As a first step towards it, the field officers must further strengthen the anti-infiltration and anti-militancy grids along the borders.

The focus must remain on plugging all the infiltration routes and activate local sources, most of whom live in the border villages. It is these sources who play a formidable role in detecting infiltration attempts. Their role has all along remained commendable. So, it is the moral duty of the state and the central governments to not cause any further delay in ensuring their security. It is the lawful duty of the government to protect them.