Uri (near LOC in Kashmir), Oct 12: As the army continues fencing along the Line of Control (Loc) in Jammu and Kashmir, three villages in Uri sector in north Kashmir's Baramulla district have been left on the other side of the fence. Hathlanga, Chiranda and Silikut villages, which fall very close to the LoC, have been left on the other side of the fence being erected to check the infiltration of militants from Pakistan, sources said. Though by no means has the land been conceded to Pakistan, the sources said the agricultural land of the residents of the three villages has also been divided by the fencing, causing enormous hardships to them. According to revenue records available at Baramulla district headquarters, the total area of the three villages is 565 hectares with a population of around 2000. Residents of the villages are perturbed due to fencing as they will have to unnecessarily traverse long distances just to tend to one piece of land divided by the fence.
A defence spokesman sought to clarify that the fencing has been carried out after assessing the ground situation and security scenario in the area.
"We have to erect the fence according to its effectiveness in serving the purpose. It does not mean that the villages and their residents have been handed over to Pakistan," defence spokesman Major Sehgal told reporters here.
Bureau Report