Pak shelling forces migration of 50% border population

DEEPAK KHAJURIA

JAMMU: Following spurt in Pakistani firing especially targeting forward Indian villages in Arnia, RS Pura and Ramgarh sectors in Jammu and Samba districts, in the biggest migration in past one year, nearly 50 percent of total populace of over 70 border villages have shifted to safer places temporarily Thursday evening, even as a senior BSF officer and three civilians are reported to have sustained injuries on Thursday.
Confirming frequent heavy firing at IB in entire Arnia sector and adjoining RS Pura and Ramgarh sectors, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Kumar Rajiv Ranjan said, "Almost fifty thousand people of the total population of the forward villages in these sectors of entire Arnia and few villages of RS Pura sectors have been migrated to safer places in the temporary migrant camps at government buildings and many have taken shelter on their own at their relative's and friend's places."
The officials stated that as many as 41993 people migrated temporarily in Arnia and RS Pura sectors whereas over 5000 shifted their base in Ramgarh sector of Samba district.
Meanwhile official sources said that in wake of heavy shelling from Pakistan, the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who is in Jammu may chair a high-level meeting on border situation today. However, there is no plan of her visit to International Border.
Intensifying the shelling, Pakistani Rangers on Thursday targeted many villages resulting injuries to three persons identified as Parveen Kumar of Arnia who was shifted to GMC&H Jammu and Sohan Singh of Sheikhe Chak in RS Pura who received Splinter injuries but later was shifted to Jammu, besides Roma Devi wife of Rakesh Kumar resident of Suchetgarh who received head injuries.
Both of them sustained injuries during the firing which started late Thursday evening at around 6:30 hours.
According to the locals at Arnia, RS Pura and Ramgarh areas, Pakistan started heavy shelling and firing in the evening, which was on till last reports came in.
The forward villages like Korotana, Vidhipur, Suchetgarh, Abdal, Gharana of RS Pura, entire Arnia sector and Jerda and Dagh villages of Ramgarh sector were the worst affected.
Meanwhile reports said that SDM South, Sonu Pargal and SDM RS Pura Naresh Sharma are camping at the firing affected villages till late night along with the police, doctors and revenue teams to help the villagers and monitor the situation.
Sources also informed that a BSF's Assistant Commandant also suffered minor splinter injuries in Arnia sector, where Pakistan violated ceasefire once again at 6:20 pm, however, BSF officials denied any injury to any of their personnel in today's cross border firing.
BSF DIG (G) Dharmendra Parik informed, "Since yesterday Pak Rangers started unprovoked firing in Arnia Sector and later also resorted to mortar shelling which was effectively and strongly retaliated and suppressed the enemy fire in few minutes. However intermittent firing continued till 5:30 hrs today. Neither any loss or injury to BSF personnel was reported so far."
BSF PRO Jammu, Manoj Yadav, who confirmed the fresh ceasefire violation at Arnia sector, this evening, also denied any injury to BSF person.
Meanwhile, sources said that Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, who reached Jammu on Thursday may chair a high-level security meeting and take first hand information of the situation arising at the International Border in Jammu district today morning.
"CM along with Deputy CM, Dr Nirmal Singh will chair the meeting in which Chief Secretary, DGP J&K Police, IG BSF Jammu, IGP CRPF Jammu, IG JKP Jammu zone and all senior officers of Intelligence Agencies would participate and detail CM on the present situation, sources said.