Jammu and Kashmir people becoming fodder of cannon on border: National Conference

JAMMU: Asserting that the fallout of hostilities between New Delhi and Islamabad is being felt in Jammu and Kashmir with people becoming "fodder of cannon on the border", ruling National Conference (NC) today batted strongly for resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan to bring an end to border skirmishes.

"There is anguish over continued shelling from across the border and loss of life and property in the forward areas of the Jammu region. We seek resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan to bring an end to border skirmishes", Chief of National Conference's Jammu Provincial, Devender Singh Rana told reporters here.

"The fallout of hostilities between New Delhi and Islamabad is being felt in Jammu and Kashmir with people becoming fodder of cannon on the border", Rana said.

He visited the hospital immediately after victims of shelling in R S Pura were brought for specialised treatment. Two villagers were killed and seven others including a BSF jawan injured early this morning in R S Pura sector near the International Border.

Rana conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of the injured.

The Provincial President said peace on the border is imperative for normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan.

He said the border dwellers in Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed an era of peace following ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan during the tenure of the then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.