CPI M Delegation Visits Uri Border Villages, Slams Inadequate Compensation

Jammu & Kashmir: A delegation from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) visited several border villages in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday to meet families affected by cross-border shelling between India and Pakistan.The CPI M team interacted with residents who have been displaced after their homes were destroyed in the shelling.
In Salamabad village, the delegation listened to accounts of families who lost everything. “We built our home with our life savings. Now it’s gone, completely destroyed by a shell a few weeks ago,” said Talib Hussain, a local resident. Several families from Salamabad have been shifted to makeshift shelters at the Trade Facilitation Centre in Uri.
Hussain criticised the government compensation of Rs 1.30 lakh as grossly inadequate. “You can’t even buy a proper door or window for that amount. How are we supposed to rebuild an entire home?” he asked.
The CPI M team, which included General Secretary M A Baby and other MPs from Kerala, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, as well as Kulgam MLA and senior leader M Y Tarigami, inspected the extent of the destruction and assured the villagers that their issues would be raised in Parliament.
Speaking to the media, M A Baby condemned the government’s lack of meaningful support. “The situation here is nothing short of tragic. Drone attacks and shelling have caused immense devastation. Yet the government has failed to offer sufficient compensation or a sustainable rehabilitation plan,” he said.
He also criticised the broader political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, saying, “Even though Omar Abdullah is the elected Chief Minister, key decisions are being taken by the Government of India without involving him. This undermines the democratic framework.”
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, Baby said, “This unilateral move by the BJP has left a lasting scar on the people of the region. The destruction we see today is compounded by the erosion of democracy. Important meetings are being held without elected representatives. That is unacceptable.”
The CPI M has demanded a special session of Parliament to discuss the issues plaguing the region, but according to Baby, the Prime Minister has refused to convene such a session or even attend two previous all-party meetings. “We are witnessing the dismantling of both homes and democracy in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.