Cross-border firing: J&K Core Group reviews relief measures

JAMMU: A Core Group, constituted to ensure immediate relief to the victims of cross-border firing from the Pakistan side in Jammu and Kashmir, today visited forward areas along the International Border in Kathua district and reviewed the relief measures.

On January 12, acting Chief Justice of JK High Court, Justice Yaqoob Mir, had directed the authorities to constitute a Core Group for the purpose.

Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and Principal District and Sessions Judge Vinod Chatterjee Koul along with members of the group visited border villages in Hiranagar sub-division of Kathua, an official spokesman said today.

A meeting with affected families was organised at Sherpur and Londi areas to review the relief measures undertaken by district administration and redress their grievances.

The families demanded alternate shelter and land at safer places, bunkers, reservation, relief and crop compensation.

Justice Koul told the affected families about the legal assistance and services being provided by the government.

He also inaugurated a legal clinic for assistance of affected families. Five legal members including two advocates have been deputed under supervision of District Mobile Magistrate Dinesh Gupta.

The Core Group also visited forward BSF posts at Londi and reviewed the measures taken for safety and security of affected families.