As India-Pak Exchange Fire, Terror Returns to Villagers’ Lives in Border Areas of Jammu & Kashmir

Fear has again descended upon villagers living near border areas in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In the heavy shelling and exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani forces on 18 May, four civilians and a BSF trooper were killed from these areas. After the incident, schools and colleges have been closed down near the border.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti termed the firing as cause for “pain and worry.” 
“Sad that while our country took the lead in starting peace initiatives with cessation of operations during Ramzan, Pakistan has shown no respect whatsoever for this holy month. Pakistan will have to reciprocate & contribute to efforts for lasting peace. Everyone must realise that violence is a zero sum game. My deepest condolences to families of victims,” she tweeted.
Villagers in border areas have, of course, always lived under constant terror of Pakistani shelling. 
“The shelling can start any time of the day. We are always living in fear,” said a woman from a border are on condition of anonymity.
The shelling has not only cost lives, but has also affected the education of children in these areas. Mostly, schools and colleges are shut down in fear of shelling from the other side. 
“Schools are closed down for months and then we have to look for tutors who can teach children at homes,” said the woman.
Before forming the government with PDP, the BJP in its election campaign had promised allotment of five marlas (1,361.25 sq ft) of land to each border villager. But last year, the BJP retreated from its promise, citing the shifting of population to another place as being against national interest. Instead, the government announced that it had decided to construct bunkers in these areas. 
The Centre had given a sanction for the construction of over 14,400 underground bunkers at a cost of Rs 415.73 crore for the safety of bordering villages. 
“We don’t want these hollow promises. The government should act upon and construct a bunker or provide us with land,” said a 35-year-old man.
Many villagers in RS Pura district think that peace can only be restored by normalising relations with the neighbouring country. 
“The government needs to come up with an initiative that would result in normalising relations between the two countries. Else countless innocent people will keep on dying,” said another village resident.