Cross-border firing victims to get Rs 5 lakh

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its approval to provide '5 lakh compensation to each of the victims of the cross-border firing along the Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir.

These victims are made eligible for compensation along with those who die due to terrorism or left-wing extremism.

Presently, there is no scheme to compensate victims of cross-border firing. The Cabinet also gave its nod to enhance the compensation from R 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

“It is a historic decision by the Modi government, which gives a message that the Central government cares for them,” minister of state Jitendra Singh said while announcing the measure.

Around 770 km of the Line of Control and around 220 km 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. A total of 168 civilians were killed due to naxal violence in maoist-hit states in 2015.

“Any civilian who dies anywhere in the country due to terror attack, left-wing extremism, firing from across the border, shelling or IED explosion will be given Rs 5 lakh compensation uniformly. The amount will be given to the next of kin of the victim,” an official release said.

The amount will also be given to those who receive 50 per cent or more disability or incapacitation due to the same reasons, it said.

“The relief amount will be given on the condition that no employment will be provided to any of the family members of the victims by state or Centre,” the release said. During the Prime Minister’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on October 23, 2014, the issue of financial assistance to the people killed in the cross-border firing was raised.

For the first time in the 70 years since Independence, realising the problem of Indians residing in the border areas, the government analysed their plight as they suffer due to frequent violations of ceasefire specifically on the northwestern border of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan.

“In view of the hardships faced by the civilian populations, the government decided to include the civilian victims of cross-border firing under the scheme,” it said. Mr Singh said the compensation will also be available for people living in PoK. “We feel that people living in Pakistan-occupied territory should get all facilities and benefits which are available to Indian citizens,” he said.