Civilian border firing victims to get Rs 5 lakh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 24

For the first time, the victims of cross-border firing along the Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir will get compensation similar to those who die due to terrorism or Left wing extremism violence. The Union Cabinet decided to increase the compensation amount from Rs 3 lakh to 5 lakh to each victim.

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Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh said: “The government recognised the plight of people living near LoC and IB with Pakistan for the first time and decided to include them in the compensation scheme.” 

During the Prime Minister’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on October 23, 2014, the issue of financial assistance to the people killed in cross-border firing was raised. Approximately 770 km of the Line of Control and approximately 220 km of International Border have been a witness to frequent ceasefire violation and the influx of terrorists since 1990.

More than 50 civilians die every year due to shelling and cross-border firing along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir. As many as 13,921 civilians have lost their lives till last year.