(a) whether the Army had evacuated several villages located near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir due to the cross border firing from Pakistan a few years ago;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to relocate the said villagers; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) to (d): The Army has not relocated any village near the LoC in J&K due to cross border firing. However, Kirni village in Punch District was temporarily relocated by the civil administration in 2004 because of the trans LOC firing by Pakistan. Following the ceasefire, the civil administration decided to shift the village back to its original location. This process commenced in April, 2011 and has been completed on 26.8.2011.