Srinagar, Dec 17: While stage is being set for permanent fencing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir to curb infiltration, proposal has been moved to relocate the fence at various places and not evacuate the villages near the LoC.
A senior official in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told Greater Kashmir that fencing at LoC would be relocated. “Evacuation of villages at LoC for permanent fencing was opposed by most of the participants during a recently held high level meeting held in New Delhi,” the official said and added that it has been decided that fence would be relocated.
“Once a village is evacuated, the inhabitants have to be rehabilitated. Around seven villages in Uri sector alone have to be evacuated and rehabilitated,” the official said adding that relocation is cheaper and easier than evacuation.
The MHA official said that an expert team of engineers from Army and civilian organizations is visiting the state in the last week of December or first week of January to chalk out a plan for permanent and all weather fencing along the LoC.
“Engineers from the Army, Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) would be part of the team,” the official said adding the team would study feasibility of all-weather fence that can withstand snow avalanches and heavy snowfall.
The MHA official said that team members would conduct a survey of at least 43 places in JK. In Jammu division the team members would visit Doda and in Kashmir division they are scheduled to visit Keran, Tanghdar, Gurez and Uri and Nowgam sectors in Baramulla.
The official said these areas have proved to be most vulnerable for infiltration during the past 10 years. “By erecting permanent fencing, most of infiltration would be curbed. It will help in many ways. Manpower deployment in these areas also could be lessened after the permanent fence is put in place,” he said.
Talking to Greater Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad said: “There will be no evacuation of villages at LoC. Fencing will be relocated and it has been decided during a high level meeting,” he said and added that permanent fencing would bring infiltration level to zero.
“India has put fence around 550 kms along the 740 km LoC with Pakistan. Nearly more than 80 kms of fencing has been damaged due to snowfall or avalanches as a result of which militants are able to infiltrate into the state with ease,” said a source.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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