Question : CULTIVATION OF LAND BY FARMERS ON BORDER AREAS

(a) whether Pakistani army has been resorting to shelling on the Border Security Force posts and villages along the international border;

(b) if so, the number of such incidents of shelling during the current year till date as compared to the corresponding period of last year, State-wise;

(c) the number of civilians, jawans of the Border Security force killed or injured and property damaged in such unprovoked shelling along the border during the said period;

(d) whether due to such shelling by Pakistan the farmers along the Border are facing difficulties in cultivating their fields; and

(e) if so, the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure the security of the civilian living in border areas?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY)

(a) & (b): Since the cease fire in November 2003, no incident of shelling by Pak army on BSF posts and on villages situated along the international border has taken place.

(c) & (d): Does not arise in view of (a) & (b) above.

(e): The Government have adopted a multi-pronged approach to ensure security in the border areas. This includes, construction of security fencing, floodlighting, and patrol roads along the border, providing of better surveillance equipment to Border Security Force, providing guards to farmers cultivating fields across the security fencing etc.