Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, continued his intensive tour of border areas in Kupwara on Monday, taking a firsthand account of the widespread destruction caused by recent cross-border shelling.
Accompanied by DDC Chairman Irfan Pandithpori, Lone visited several devastated areas including Tangdaar, Naichin, Kandi, Batpora, and Dildaar Tribone, witnessing the grim aftermath of the violence. Standing against a backdrop where the Pakistan border is visibly close, Lone described the situation as “heart-wrenching,” pointing to homes reduced to rubble and lives upended. “The extent of displacement is staggering—around 80% of the population has fled across Sadna Gali. The villages now resemble ghost towns,” he said. He emphasized that the trauma goes beyond physical damage. “The real crisis is fear. People aren’t just losing homes—they’re losing their sense of security. These are not personal losses; they are sacrifices made for the nation.”
Lone made a compelling case for immediate, national-level intervention. “This is a national tragedy and must be addressed as such. Relief and compensation cannot follow outdated, insensitive bureaucratic models. If we divide loss into ‘partial’ and ‘full’ or apply a one-size-fits-all template, we risk compounding the injustice.” Calling for an honest and comprehensive assessment, Lone stated, “Not a single affected family should have to bear the burden themselves. If even one person has to pay from their own pocket, it’s a collective failure and a shame.” Regarding India-Pakistan talks, Lone remained pragmatic while candidly admitting, “That’s beyond my standing. They are two nations with ongoing conflict. There is a lot of noise there, and our small voice cannot reach.”
