Pakistan LoC build-up worries panel

NEW DELHI: Taking note of huge construction activities across the border by Pakistan, which is resulting in erection of 97 additional 'observation post' towers and 162 barracks, a Parliamentary panel has come out with a number of suggestions for the government to counter such logistic build-up and asked it to urgently implement the proposal for construction of an earthen 'bund' on the home side of the fencing.

The panel has noted that all such additional constructions along the border in Pakistan had taken place in the past eig-ht years after both the nations had agreed for a 'ceasefire' in November, 2003.

Pitching for implementation of the proposal that has been pending for over two years, the Parliamentary standing committee on home affairs has noted that the 'bund', which was constructed to provide security cover to the persons engaged in fencing work, has become "counterproductive" as it has been helping militants (during infiltration bids).

The committee had submitted its report to the Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari on November 3.

The report, while referring to the government's response, has mentioned that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is "actively considering" a proposal for the construction of the 'bund' - naka-cum-machan-(raised platform)cum fighting bunkers - and road in the Jammu region of the state.

Besides the 'bund' issue, the panel, chaired by BJP member M Venkaiah Naidu, has taken a serious view of the logistics st-rategy for border surveillance and management.

It noted that the government has not commented on the observations of the committee regarding the manning of 60km-62 km by only one battalion (nearly 1,000 personnel) that deters operational efficiency.

The panel in its report on "Border Fencing and Flood Lighting Projects along Indo-Pak borders in the Country" has also asked the government to replace floodlights and cables along the Indo-Pak border that have "outlived" their life and have become "obsolete".

"Keeping in view the fact that the floodlight equipments have outlived their life and cables have also become obsolete and damaged, the committee recommends that it is necessary to replace the existing border flood light system with utmost expedition," the 32-page report said.

The government told the committee that a proposal regarding upgrade/replacement of the existing border flood lights system in Punjab sector, with new and more illuminating devices, was under examination.