Jammu: A simmering dispute over land compensation and border infrastructure construction surfaced prominently in Arnia sector on Tuesday, as senior Border Security Force (BSF) officers held a crucial public meeting with villagers amid growing resentment over an ongoing bund project near the International Border.
The meeting, convened by BSF’s 60 Battalion at BOP Chinaz around 11:30 AM, witnessed participation from DIG BSF Chhaterpal Singh, Commandant Varinder Singh, police representatives, former panchayat members and residents from adjoining border villages.
At the centre of the discussion was the construction of a protective bund and related Border Observation Post (BOP) infrastructure being developed by the BSF in the sensitive border belt. While BSF authorities described the project as strategically important for strengthening border security and safeguarding civilians living close to the International Border, villagers raised strong objections over alleged non-payment of compensation for agricultural land affected by the project.
During the interaction, DIG BSF Chhaterpal Singh appealed to residents not to obstruct the construction activity and urged them to cooperate with the force in the interest of national security and border management.
However, the villagers, backed by former Sarpanch Balveer Kaur, maintained that the construction should remain suspended until adequate compensation is provided to affected farmers.
“We are not against security works, but farmers whose land is being used must get proper compensation first,” local residents reportedly told officials during the meeting.
The issue reflects a wider pattern of tension emerging in several border belts of Jammu division where infrastructure expansion, fencing upgrades and bund construction have triggered disputes over land acquisition and rehabilitation benefits.
Over the past few years, the Ministry of Home Affairs and BSF have accelerated construction of protection bunds and BOP-related infrastructure along the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts to counter cross-border threats, improve troop mobility and protect border habitations from shelling and infiltration attempts.
Officials have previously stated that the sanctioned bund projects are aimed at strengthening the first line of defence while also ensuring better safety mechanisms for border residents living near vulnerable stretches.
Sources said compensation packages for certain acquired land parcels in border areas were processed in phases earlier, but several villagers continue to allege delays and inadequate payments.
Despite the disagreement, the meeting concluded peacefully ,with border residents participating in the discussion.
The development is being seen as significant amid heightened focus on border infrastructure and civilian-security coordination in Jammu’s frontier sectors.
