Pahalgam massacre: BSF officials reach out to farmers in border area

BSF officials held a meeting with farmers in the Dona Telu Mal area and assured them of full cooperation in clearing the crop residue in their fields across the barbed fencing along the India-Pakistan border.

Earlier, the BSF had reportedly got the announcement made through village gurdwaras asking farmers to expedite the process of harvesting. It was, however, not endorsed by any BSF official later.

Ranjit Singh, who owns around 40 acres in DT Mal area, said the BSF officials, however, asked them not to go very close to the zero line and remain at least 100 m inside the border. BSF officials also reportedly assured them of providing extra security so that they could complete their task.

Ranjit said the zero line was situated around 3 km ahead of the border fencing in this area (Gate No. 195) and the Sutlej flowed between the fencing and zero line. Around 40-50 farmers were reportedly present in the meeting held on Tuesday evening. The step apparently aimed at assuaging the feelings of the farmers in the

border area.