Himachal to take up firing range issue with Defence ministry

Shimla, Aug 7 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh government would take up the matter related to the setting up of a firing range in the lower hills of district Sirmour with the Defence ministry.

''The ministry will be apprised of the sentiments of the people who are against this firing range,'' Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh told a delegation of the Gram Panchayats of Sirmour district here today. The delegation was led by Mr Ajay Bhadur, a former MLA.

The Chief Minister said the Defence ministry had been raising the issue of setting up of the firing range in Sirmour district close to Nahan town. However, the members of the Ppanchayats of the area were not in favour of this range, he said while pointing out that the matter had been taken up with the Defence ministry earlier also.

He said his government was committed to safeguard the interests of the people of the state and this matter would be pursued.

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