KALABAN, Sep 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday visited the land subsidence-affected Kalaban border area in Poonch district and expressed hope that the Centre will sanction a comprehensive relief package similar to those granted to Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Addressing reporters, Abdullah said the administration has been instructed to prepare a rehabilitation plan under which affected families will be allotted five marlas (one marla = 272.251 sq ft) of land as per the existing policy, subject to Cabinet approval.
“We are in touch with the central government, which has already sent a team to assess the situation. We will place our demands before them and are hopeful that Jammu and Kashmir will also receive a suitable relief package,” he said.
During his visit, the CM reviewed the damage in Kalaban village, where land subsidence since September 11 has displaced over 1,000 residents and damaged more than 95 houses, along with a graveyard and mosque. Families have been shifted to safer shelters.
Abdullah emphasized that resettlement in the affected zone is not possible. “Wherever land has sunk, people cannot be rehabilitated again. They will have to be relocated to new, safer areas,” he noted.
Highlighting the scale of the crisis, Abdullah said almost every district in Jammu and Kashmir has suffered from floods, landslides, or heavy rains this season. “Whatever financial resources we have, we will utilize them to ensure relief reaches those in need. It is our duty to support people during these difficult times,” he added.