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Kargil to be relocated

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

In view of the continuous trans-border shelling, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to permanently relocate the Kargil township to Ladakh region.

Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah had announced the decision to evacuate the 10,000-strong population of the township a few days ago. Referring to the unprovoked Pakistani shelling in Kargil, he said "a new township will be built out of shelling range."

"The depots of the Indian Oil Corporation are also being relocated in view of frequent shelling," he said.

Strategically located on the Srinagar-Leh highway, at over 13,000 feet above sea level, Kargil town has been coming under direct fire from Pakistani pickets. Fearing large-scale devastation, many of the people have abandoned their residences in the last one year, especially after the Septemeber 30 incident when the town was pounded with scores of shells. Fifteen persons died, and 21 were wounded in the incident.

This year, the locals had to leave town several times because of shelling. The residents usually migrate to the adjoining villages. Due to heavy shelling in July and August, traffic on the Srinagar-Leh highway was also disrupted, affecting the supply of essentials.

A senior police official said it was a good idea to shift the town as it is in the "eye of the storm" -- when tension escalates between India and Pakistan, Kargil usually bears the brunt of it.

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