‘₹6,500 for a destroyed home’: Destruction widespread in border villages of Jammu Kashmir, relief negligible

May 30, 2025 by News Desk

The early days of May 2025 brought renewed devastation to border villages in Jammu Kashmir as intense cross-border shelling from Pakistani troops struck multiple districts, damaging hundreds of homes and public buildings.

Amid the rubble, residents now face what they call a second blow: paltry compensation from the government that barely scratches the surface of their losses.

In the border district of Kupwara alone, more than 100 structures were damaged in Baramulla and Kupwara villages. Across all affected areas in Tangdhar, Karnah, Uri, Poonch, and Rajouri, the total number of damaged homes and structures has surpassed 400, according to local assessments.

For many, the compensation has come as a shock.

“I spent Rs 15,000 just to clear the debris of my destroyed house. The government gave me Rs 10,000 in return,” said a resident of Kralapora in Kupwara, whose house was completely destroyed. The total damage to his property is estimated to be around Rs 25 to 30 lakh.

Another resident from Uri’s Parampilla village said his family received Rs 6,500, despite the house suffering extensive structural damage, with cracked walls, shattered windows, and destroyed interiors. “Is this a joke?” he asked, standing outside what remains of his home.

In the neighbouring village of Salambad, the houses of two brothers — both daily-wage workers — were rendered uninhabitable. They were compensated Rs 1.3 lakh each.

“How does one rebuild a two-storey home with that amount? Even a single room would cost more,” said a local ex-sarpanch, pointing out that the construction cost in these remote hilly regions is significantly higher due to transportation and labour.

A resident of Poonch, whose house was damaged during the May 7 shelling, echoed similar sentiments. He estimated his losses at Rs 15 lakh but was given only Rs 1.3 lakh as compensation. “It won’t even cover the cost of basic repairs, let alone reconstruction,” he said.

The government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for families who lost loved ones in the shelling. However, no such proportionate policy appears to exist for the hundreds who have lost their homes or sources of livelihood.

In addition to residential homes, the shelling damaged at least 31 schools across Poonch and Rajouri, disrupting education in already underserved areas.

The residents of these border villages — many of whom had barely recovered from previous displacements — are once again demanding a comprehensive policy that reflects the real costs of rebuilding lives. “We are not asking for favours. We are demanding justice and dignity,” said a local resident.

In response, the district administration in Jammu issued a clarification stating, “As per the prescribed norms, the main house directly hit by the shelling has been sanctioned ₹1,20,000. Nearby houses with minor damage received ₹6,500 each. Those with minor injuries have been given ₹10,000, and grievously injured persons received ₹35,000.”

“We stand in solidarity with affected residents and remain committed to addressing their needs on priority,” the administration said.