Anti-Personnel Mine Victims

Pain of Poonch , J&K's shame Even after decades, landmine victims await relief Ashutosh Sharma Tribune News Service Poonch, June 19 Even after decades, people who lost their limbs in landmine blasts in this border district have got no or inadequate compensation despite recommendations by the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission. Officials at the DC’s office say that only 20 cases of relief and compensation are pending in its records Faqir Mohammad (right) and Mohammad Sadiq of Shahpur village.Photo by writer. 10-yr-old loses eye, hands in landmine blast near LoC Ashutosh Sharma Tribune News Service Poonch, June 19 Ashiq Hussain (10) had to pay a heavy price to the Indo-Pak border tension. He has lost both hands and an eye in a landmine blast near his home in Khardi Karmara village near the LoC. Ashiq Hussain (centre), mine blast victim, with his relatives in Jammu. A Tribune photo Maimed in landmine blast, neglected by govt 90-year-old villager sweats it out in the fields to feed his family Ashutosh Sharma Tribune News Service Poonch, June 23 Landmine blasts have maimed hundreds of border residents here, but the prolonged psychological effects of the injuries, coupled with economic hardships they suffer and the government’s apathetic attitude, has led to psychiatric diseases in many of them. Keekar Singh, along with his wife Kulwant Kaur, in Khardi Karmarda village, close to the Line of Control. Photo by writer Maimed by Mines Protecting civilians on Indo-Pak border MANY borders have weight-triggered explosive devices that can blast off with a human or inanimate contact. The difficult-to-patrol Indo-Pak border is dotted with them, a legacy of turbulent times and wars during which landmines were placed by the Army.