Unexploded shells adding to scare in Uri villages

Unexploded shells adding to scare in Uri villages

MUSHTAQ AHMAD

Baramulla: Several unexploded shells from cross-LoC fire have piled up in villages along the Line of Control in Uri over the
last two months creating fear among the residents.
The tense situation on the LoC has forced many villagers to abandon their houses while those who stay behind say unexploded
shells have made it difficult for them to move around.
Mohamamd Aslam, a resident of Batgram said that constant firing on the LoC has made life hell for them, while shells lying near
their house for more than two months now are adding to their miseries.
“We are moving with great care, but still the danger persists,” he said adding that they are waiting for authorities to remove
the life threatening objects at the earliest.
For Surya Begum of Chackra village, a live shell in her home has led her to abandon the house.
Her fear is that any action to dispose off the shell may leave her homeless.
“There are no assurance on who will compensate us in case we suffer damages,” she said, adding that Army had come forward to
remove the mortar but given the fact that there could be damages to my house, we could not give the necessary nod as authorities
have failed to give us assurances on who will compensate the damages.
For many, shifting to safer places has been complicated because of their domestic animals who they fear will die of starvation
because of the untimely transition.
Bashir Ahmad of Nambla village said that continuous firing has resulted in losses to walnut crop in the area which could not be
harvested due to constant shelling.
Sub District Magistrate Uri Riyaz Ahmad told Kashmir Reader that they were aware of the situation and have asked the Army to
safely dispose off any shells lying the area.
He added that shelters have been set up at safer places for the people where they can put in till the threat subsides.

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