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चैत्र कृष्ण पक्ष, शुक्रवार, चर्तुथी

News

No network connectivity, 25,000 IB residents in grip of insecurity


Date:- 28 Feb 2019


Dinesh Manhotra

Amid mounting tension, fear has gripped over 25,000 people living on the International Border (IB) as they don’t have any communication with the rest of the country due to a weak mobile network. The villagers fear that in case of any emergency, they would not be able to establish contact with the authorities.

“There is no mobile network in nearly 30 villages located in the west of RS Pura,” said Thoru Ram, nambardar of Raipur Saida village. He said the issue was repeatedly brought to the notice of the authorities concerned but nothing had been done. “How will we establish contact with the authorities in case of any emergency?” he asked.

As there is no network in villages, people gathered at a chowk in front of the shop of Mohinder Singh to attend phone calls. “Mobile network is available in this particular location so you will find villagers gathered here to make or attend a call,” he told The Tribune.

Mobile network is poor in villages namely Bidhpur Jattan, Bega, Bera, Choga, Raipura Saida, Abdullian, Chandu Chak, Layian, Chak Bula, Korotana, etc.

“Keeping in view the prevailing situation on the border, anything can be happen. How will we establish contact with the authorities at that time?” asked Darshan Singh, nambardar of Choga village. “Even for ambulance and other emergency services, we have to rush to areas where network is available,” he said.

Earlier, wireless in local loop mobile service was provided to every village with a tower so as to provide round-the-clock communication services to border residents. But after launching of the service, the authorities snapped it.

Raj Kumar, a resident, recounted that on May 18, 2018, Tarsem Lal and his wife Manjeet of Chandu Chak village had lost their lives due to unavailability of an ambulance service. The couple was injured in shelling from across the border.

Villagers face brunt 

Mobile network is poor in Bidhpur Jattan, Bega, Bera, Choga, Raipura Saida, Abdullian, Chandu Chak, Layian, Chak Bula and Korotana villages

Courtesy:The Tribune,Feb 28,2019