ISLAMABAD, April 6: The people of Balakot, who suffered widespread devastation in the October 8, 2005 earthquake, are sharply divided over the issue of their relocation to another place because of a Turkish seismic report saying that the entire area is located on a ‘red zone’.

While some people demand rehabilitation of the town, others want it moved to a safe place far from the devastated area. During a recent visit to the town, this correspondent saw reconstruction work in progress. A new building for a police station and a civil hospital have been constructed. Some shelters to house people and schools have been built.

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