Raqeeq urges Govt of India to relocate fence on LoC in Mendhar

• Says the fence should be constructed ahead of zero-line villages to end harassment of border dwellers

MENDHAR: Apni Party Spokesperson, and Vice President Youth Wing, Raqeeq Ahmed Khan has urged the Govt of India to relocate the fence on the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar to end the day – to – day hardships being faced by the villagers while going to their respective villages established near Zero-Line ahead of the fence in Poonch District.

“These border dwellers have to face multiple problems, and restrictions while moving in and returning back to their respective villages on zero-line in Mendhar because the fence comes first and they have to complete formalities to reach their residents,” said Raqeeq Ahmed Khan, also Media Coordinator of the Party, while addressing a press conference here in Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch District.

He said that the authorities are not concerned about the growing problems being faced by these border dwellers, nor have he seen officials visiting these villages to list the development related problems of the people.

“These people are affected because of restrictions that are imposed on their movement because of the fence. Hence, it leads to problems for the women, and children who sometimes return by 5 PM or 6 PM to get back to their homes, but they are not allowed as the women cops deployed there hardly stay after 4 PM. Therefore, it is also requested to ensure the deployment of women cops of J&K Police up to 7 PM so that the women and children get through the formalities easily, and return home thereafter,” he added.

On the other hand, he said that the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) of many roads in Mendhar, which were submitted in 2022 on priority. However, no tenders were floated, neither the work on the approved roads has been started. He appealed to the Govt to ensure the completion/repair work/construction of these roads like Maharaja Road – historic road link, Kota to Mendhar Ring Road etc.

He stated that the completion work for the construction of a sports stadium in Mendhar is still pending, and the people are concerned over the delaying tactics of the authorities. While expressing anguish over the unscheduled power cuts, he said that the authorities must provide electricity to the people as per the billed charges. “The people have claimed that they are being charged excessively for the usage of the electricity even as the electricity remains cut off for most of hours in Mendhar due to unscheduled power cuts,” he added.

He also sought proper mobile connectivity in the border villages where the people complain that they do not have access to the mobile network once they reach their villages along the zero-line. Meanwhile, he also demanded that a special recruitment drive by establishing a separate Border Battalion in J&K Police for the unemployed youth along the Line of Control villages in Mendhar should be conducted.

The local youth should be recruited in J&K Police on priority basis. He hoped that the authorities would listen to the grievances of the people and improve the basic amenities in the respective areas wherever they are lacking.

Meanwhile, District Vice President, Poonch, Ajaz Ahmed Khan also stated that the houses which were constructed under PMAY are still waiting for their next installment from the concerned department that is yet to be released in favour of the economically weaker section even as the houses were completed after the work order. “The next installment is not being released by the authorities. However, the first installment under PMAY has been given to the economically poor,” he added.

Besides, the Provincial Secretary Youth Wing, Anees Khan highlighted that the mini secretariat at Mendhar needs speedy completion of work as it is pending for the last several years. “Govt Middle School Behrote Balakote in Mendhar has been upgraded from Middle to Higher Secondary, but the classes for the higher studies have not been started yet,” he added.