Army camp evokes good response

The medical-cum-veterinary camp was organised by 21 Bihar (Maurya) and medical specialists and veterinary doctors ran the camp. The villagers requested the Army officials to extend them facilities on a permanant basis.

“We want Army to come again and again”, said Ajaib Singh of Chak Alabaksh. He suggested that instead of organising a camp for a couple of days in various villages it would be better if the Army adopted one village for a couple of years.

Naseeb Singh, resident of Sarangra who had come for the dressing of minor bruises at the camp felt it was an important job which the Army had undertaken. “I think at last the government has started thinking of us”, he said.

Describing the camp as just a perfunctory measure, Surinder Singh of Sarangra demanded some permanent measures by the Army if they really wanted to help villagers.

Lakhwinder Kaur, wife of Harbhajan Singh who fought in the Indo-Pak war at Longowal had approached Army officials for help. While talking to ENS she said another resident of Sarangra village was allgedly harassing her. She said that she was hopeful of the Army helping her as the police had failed to help her out.

“We will verify the matter and persue it with the civil authorities to get justice for Lakhwinder Kaur” said Lieutinent Colonol S. K. Chand who was looking after the camp activities.

Captain Kritika Kaushik who diagnosed female patients said there was a general B-complex deficiency among people of this area which she attributed to their eating habits.

The villagers also requested the officials to convey their general grievances to the civil authorities.

Shanta Singh, sarpanch of Sarangara village demanded that the Lopoke Ranian road should be broadened and a doctor be posted at the dispensary. He said that bus fares in the border areas had been fixed at 36 paise per km but the bus owners were, however, charging 50 paise per km. He said that the concerned authorities should take note of it.

Amarjit Singh, sarpanch of Ranian demanded that the measures should be taken to prevent river Ravi from shifting southwards, causing havoc in the village.

Gurmail Singh, sarpanch of Chak Allah Baksh demanded that the Dhariwal road be metalled.

Lakh Singh, sarpanch of Kakkar village demanded appointment of a veterinary doctor in the village and provision of bus service upto their village.

Maan Singh, sarpanch of Lodhi Gujan demanded construction of houses for the poor by the government. He also demanded construction of a drain to remove stagnant water from the village which was a health hazard.

Sarpanch of village Rai, Sahab Singh, demanded repair of Gurdwara for Harijans by the state gvernment.

While Kartar Singh, sarpanch of Pindori village lamented that no buses were plying from Amritsar and also demanded sanction of a dispensary and a veterinary hospital for the village.