SKARDU, Oct 24: Hundreds of people living in Gultary sector have been forced to migrate to Skardu due to unprovoked and continuous shelling by the Indian forces.

According to the affected people, almost eight villages have been evacuated. These are: Akhri Dass, Yodass, Yoqma Borthang, Broque, Kkhar, Chota Dass, Bara Dass and Somlook.

The helpless people belonging to almost 163 families have reached Skardu. Earlier, the Deputy Chief Executive of Northern Areas, Haji Fida Mohammad Nashad, with district officials of Skardu visited Gultary valley and distributed Rs2,000 and two bags of flour to each affected family.

Fida also distributed Rs30,000 to the heirs of one Zainab Bibi, who died due to Indian shelling and Rs10,000 each to five injured people.

Despite severe shelling by the Indian forces, the people of Gultary valley were residing in the area taking shelter in caves of the mountains. But now, the winter season has arrived and the temperature has dropped to minus degree due to snowfall and severe cold weather.

In this harsh and unbearable weather condition it was difficult for the people of Gultary to live there and were forced to migrate to Skardu. The practice is still going on, which has created immense difficulties for the district administration to deal with the shelterless people.

It has been learnt that the Northern Areas administration has prepared a relief package for the affected people of the LoC and has sent to the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas for approval.

The Ministry of Kashmir Affairs has approved the proposed package of Rs 49.4 million and has sent it to the Finance Ministry for final approval. But the Finance Ministry has yet to give approval for the relief package.