Army helps people in Kashmir to find jobs

Poonch, Aug 31 (ANI): Indian army, besides fighting a two-decades-old militancy in Kashmir has been helping people to find jobs.

Remote villages, located close to the military ceasefire line in places such as Sawjain sector in Poonch district of Jammu region, are accessible only on foot and residents have to travel miles in search of food and livelihood.

People living in border villages like Gali-Maidan, Bedaar, Khet, Sawjian and Neriyan lack job opportunities because of the tough geographical terrain.

The villages are located at high altitude due to which people have to face adverse climatic conditions. People here live in Dhoks made up of mud and bamboo.

Women travel miles to collect firewood and men have few job opportunities. In such circumstances many youth work as porters for the army, ferrying rations and other goods for the troops guarding the frontiers.

The jobs help residents supplement their family income and the opportunities created by the army have to an extent helped them and prevent the migration of youth to states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

"Army is a source of employment and provides jobs to the youth only for 4-5 months. Some get absorbed as permanent porters while others get temporary jobs. Otherwise there are no job opportunities here," said Ali Mohammad, a villager. (ANI)