Over 540 families in Jammu displaced during Operation Parakaram

Over 540 families were displaced due to security reasons during Operation Parakaram along the line of control in 2001-2002, the Jammu and Kashmir government today said.

Replying to a question of Rafiq Hussain Khan in the state assembly, chief minister Omar Abdullah said inhabitants of 13 villages of Balakote block of Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district comprising 541 families were displaced in 2001-02 due to security reasons during Operation Parakaram.

He said these families have now been allowed to return and live in their native villages and cultivate their agricultural lands.

A special package of Rs 7crore was released to the divisional commissioner, Jammu, by the home department for rehabilitation of border migrants in Poonch district.

In addition, a comprehensive plan for proper rehabilitation and upgradation of facilities like road connectivity, electricity, water supply, healthcare and repair
of houses is being formulated under the Border Area Development Plan (BADP) by different departments on the instructions of the state government, the chief minister said.