Kiren Rijiju assures better services to jawans at crucial outposts

GUNJI (UTTARAKHAND): Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel today met Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and raised their 'long-delayed' demands of better service conditions at crucial border areas.

Rijiju visited the Nabhidang border outpost (BoP), which is located at the height of 15,000 feet and close to Indo-China and Indo-Nepal border, and is also known as tri-junction.

The jawans apprised the minister of their ordeal and requested for a "time-bound" solution.

SSB jawans, who were stationed at the BoPs at Gunji and Kalapani, raised the issue of poor infrastructure, saying they have to undertake a foot-journey of more than two days to reach Gunji from Dharchula.

"Road facilities are very poor in the area. We are deployed here round-the-clock and our task is to secure our borders. The only thing we required urgently is basic concrete roads so that transportation can be done easily," Havaldar Ram Nayak of SSB told Rijiju.

"There is no medical facility available at Gunji, Kalapani or Nabhidang BoPs. We are completely left at the mercy of God. I would request you (Rijiju) to provide us air-ambulance so that soldier in need can be air-lifted to hospitals," Sepoy Krishan Kumar said.

The jawans said they had "never imagined" that a Union minister will come to meet them, as not a single minister had done so in the last 68 years after the independence.

Rijiju began a two-day visit to Uttrakhand yesterday morning and visited the high altitude Border Outpost of Police (BoPs) at Gunji, Kalapani and Nabhidhang.

There are some issues or hurdles which persist in your way. I would like to assure you that the government is committed to improve the conditions of border areas by providing world-class infrastructure and telecommunications among others, Rijiju added.

He assured them that he will talk to officials concerned to find out a solution as soon as possible.

"Indian citizens feel safe at home because you brave soldiers are protecting the crucial borders all the time," the minister said.

"I would convene a meeting of road transport, defence and others to work in this regard. All your grievances would be addressed," the minister said.

Some officials of SSB and ITBP also raked up the issue of allowances which, according to them, are not at par with Army.

Rijiju said that he has noted the problems and issues of these forces and would find a solution very soon.

The minister also attended flagging-in ceremony of Mount Trishul Expedition Team at Gwaldam auditorium in Uttarakhand's Pithorgarh.

He felicitated Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) team, which climbed Mount Trishul in Uttarakhand to learn high-altitude surviving skills.

Rijiju lauded the effort of the team which scaled the 23,000 feet high mountain.

The expedition of Mount Trishul was planned with the aim of encourage the force personnel to pursue adventurous sports.