Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 20: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, chaired a unified command meeting at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar on Tuesday to review security and rehabilitation efforts in border areas affected by recent shelling.
Earlier, during his visit to Kupwara on May 17, LG Sinha assessed the damage caused by shelling from across the border. He assured residents of Tangdhar Sector that the administration is formulating a comprehensive plan to seek central assistance for their rehabilitation.
Interacting with local residents, Sinha reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to provide all possible support. He also reviewed relief and rehabilitation measures being implemented on the ground. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, and Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan, briefed the LG on the ongoing needs assessment and bunker construction through Gram Sabhas.
The Lieutenant Governor instructed the district administration to expedite the construction of bunkers to safeguard residents in vulnerable border areas. “Immediate aid has been extended, but more is needed,” he said. “A comprehensive plan will be jointly prepared by senior officials for the full rehabilitation of the affected families. Ensuring their safety is our collective responsibility.”
He also directed authorities to maintain uninterrupted essential services in the affected regions and praised the coordinated efforts of the administration, Army, Police, and allied organisations in relief operations.
In a significant development, LG Sinha also announced an increase in ex-gratia relief under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme for civilians and government employees affected by violence or civil unrest.
According to an official statement, the ex-gratia for civilian deaths has been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh—a 250% enhancement. In cases of permanent disability, the compensation has been raised from ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh. This is in addition to the ₹5 lakh provided under the central assistance scheme for victims of terrorist violence.