JAMMU, May 21: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today announced Government jobs for one family member each of those killed and a comprehensive package from the Central Government for rebuilding houses and commercial establishments damaged during heavy shelling and firing by the Pakistani troops in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor which he said has not ended but has only been suspended.He also announced construction of individual as well as community bunkers for protection of the people in case of any such misadventure in future.The Lieutenant Governor today undertook extensive tours in Rajouri and Poonch addressing soldiers, visiting religious places, interacting with people and injured in the hospitals and reviewing security situation with top officials.
This was his first visit to the twin border districts post heavy shelling and firing by the Pakistan army directly targeting civilian areas in Rajouri and Poonch towns besides other areas after the Indian Armed Forces carried out strikes at nine terror bases deep inside Pakistan and PoJK on the intervening night of May 7 and 8 under Operation Sindoor.
Thirteen civilians including four children, two of them siblings, lost their lives in Poonch while three persons including JKAS officer Dr Raj Kumar Thapa and two civilians from Uttar Pradesh were killed in Rajouri.
“We have taken very important decision today. One member from every family of those martyred in Pakistan shelling and firing will get a Government job,” Sinha announced in brief chat with media persons as well as his address at different places in the border districts.
He said the administration is carrying out assessment of damages caused to property including houses and business structures in Pakistan’s shelling and firing. A package to rebuild the damaged civilian property will be approved by the Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, he added.
The Lieutenant Governor also announced construction of both individual and community bunkers in the border areas under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE). The administration will shortly take the work in its hands, he said.
He said the District Hospital Poonch will be equipped with such emergency facilities that there will be no need for the people to be referred outside in case of any eventuality.
Asserting that Operation Sindoor has not ended but only deferred, Sinha said entire world is now talking about bravery of the Indian Armed Forces which they displayed on the intervening night of May 7 and 8 by targeting terror bases in Pakistan to avenge 26 killings of innocent civilians by the terrorists on April 22 at Baisaran in Pahalgam.
“India is never in favour of war. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) had made it clear that terrorists and their perpetrators who executed Pahalgam killings will be taught a lesson. There was resentment among the people of Jammu and Kashmir following the killings. The Government decided to hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK to taught a lesson to the terrorists which was done by the Indian Armed Forces on the intervening night of May 7 and 8,” he said.Asserting that it was decided by the Indian Government that no civilian areas and military installations will be targeted and only terror sites will be hit, Sinha said Pakistan was also told after the attack that the terror infrastructure has been targeted but they took it as attack on them and started heavy shelling devastating the civilian areas.
“People of India are proud of the valour of the Armed Forces and that this sentiment has strengthened after Operation Sindoor. Within days, the enemy was brought to its knees and it started reaching out to the world to save them,” Sinha said.
The whole world knows the armed forces destroyed terror camps in Pakistan, he said.
“We are the world’s fifth-largest economy and will soon be the fourth-largest. Our neighbour is trying to nurture terrorism with the loans it takes,” he said, hitting out at Pakistan.
The Lieutenant Governor said now there is no area in Pakistan which can’t be targeted by the Army and the world has realized that now this is not an old India but a strong nation. While India is now aiming to become Viksit Bharat,’ there are not even basic facilities available to the people of our neighbor (Pakistan) which is badly trapped in foreign debts.
“It (the Pakistan even takes debt to support terrorism). However, the pain which our Armed Forces have inflicted on them will be remembered. And if they attempt another misadventure, they will be taught such a lesson that their seven generations will remember,” Sinha said.
He said the enemy tried to divide India by killing the people first after asking their religion (at Baisaran, Pahalgam,) then by targeting holy Gurudwara in Poonch and thereafter launching misleading campaign in Punjab. He said the Sikhs have always been in forefront whenever the country faced any threat.
He also paid tribute to Dr Raj Kumar Thapa who was martyred in Pakistan shelling in Rajouri.
Meanwhile, Sinha reviewed security situation in the border district of Poonch with senior officers of police, civil administration and all security and Intelligence agencies during which he saluted the indomitable courage and gallantry of Armed Forces personnel in ‘Operation Sindoor’. He said the invincible power of our brave soldiers has ensured a decisive victory for Bharat.
“Dharma has won and Adharma has surrendered before your weapons and might. I am proud that in just a few days our brave soldiers broke the back of the enemy,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said the entire nation is proud of the bravery and valour of our Armed Forces for giving a strong and decisive response to terrorism and dismantling the terror bases in Pakistan.
“Operation Sindoor is living example of India’s military and strategic might. It has also proved that every inch of Pakistan’s land is today the target of our brave soldiers and the enemy knows that if it indulges in future misadventure then it will not survive,” Sinha said.
Earlier, Manoj Sinha today visited Poonch and met the grieving family members who lost their loved ones due to unprovoked shelling by Pakistan.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor paid obeisance at Gurudwara Dera Santpura Nangali Sahib and interacted with the citizens.
He lauded the residents of Poonch, civil society members and all the communities for their display of courage and social harmony.
“Pakistan had shown its cowardice by targeting sacred Gurudwara Dera Santpura Nangali Sahib. In its despicable act, the terrorist country Pakistan had also targeted temple and mosque. By firing and heavy shelling on our sacred sites, terror state Pakistan had tried to damage our social fabric.
“I salute the people of Poonch. Their courage provided moral strength to our brave soldiers. We are proud of our citizens, Sikh community, who stand united against adversary’s conspiracy to divide the society on religious lines,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said the people are witnessing that under leadership of the Prime Minister, every section of society is strengthened and India’s unbeatable prowess is shining globally.
Later, the Lieutenant Governor visited the Dungus area affected due to shelling, and also took stock of the situation during a meeting with senior administrative and district officials at Poonch.
The Lieutenant Governor directed for necessary measures to ensure restoration of all essential services and supplies and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) to the Divisional Commissioner’s Office and the Chief Secretary’s Office. He further instructed for taking comprehensive assessment for requirements and construction of bunkers, upgradation of medical services at District hospital and strengthening Civil Defence system.
The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the local administration and security forces for their prompt and responsive measures for the safety and rehabilitation of affected families. He was accompanied by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; IG Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti; Divisional Commissioner, Ramesh Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Vikas Kundal and other senior officials.
