Adequate measures
have been taken to ensure safety to the people living in the
villages close to the border from inadvertently stepping onto
the minefields. The minefields have been fenced, marked, guarded
and are patrolled. Further, villagers have been informed and
sensitised regarding the presence of the minefields.
There is no
agreement with Pakistan on the issue of de-mining of the forward
areas. However, reliable inputs suggest that the Pakistan Army
is also undertaking similar de-mining on its side of the border.
Mines laid
on the International Border (IB) during "OP PARAKRAM"
are being removed and the requisite number of troops have been
deployed for the mine clearance operations.
As per records
available casualties suffered due to mine blasts since December
2001 are as follows:-
|
Nature of
casualties
|
Mine Laying
|
De-mining
Operations
|
Total
|
|
Army
|
Civilian
|
Army
|
Civilian
|
|
Killed
|
60
|
21
|
4
|
Nil
|
85
|
|
Wounded
|
142
|
100
|
45
|
3
|
290
|
|
Total
|
202
|
121
|
49
|
3
|
375
|
Compensation
is paid to each of the dependent(s) soldiers in accordance with
a comprehensive welfare package for battle casualties. For civilians
a scheme "Ex-gratia compensation package for land mine
casualties" has been sanctioned and made effective retrospectively
from Dec 19, 2001, the day when "OP PARAKARAM" started.
This information
was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a
written reply to Smt Prabha Rau and Shri KP Singh Deo in Lok
Sabha today.
