A Bond to Remember- Fazilka Diary

Evacuation and Setting up of relief camps in Border District of Fazilka in wake of Surgical Strikes

Isha Kalia, IAS
Former Deputy Commissioner, Fazilka

The experience dates back to the period when the undersigned was posted as Deputy Commissioner in district Fazilka, a border district of Punjab. Fazilka shares around 108 km border with Pakistan. As per the Revenue record of the district, 169 villages (Fazilka:71, Abohar: 13, Jalalabad: 85) fall within 10 km of International Border. As per the Census 2011, population of these villages was 2,90,771.

It was on 29-09-2016, 11 days after the Uri attack, Government of India announced that it had conducted Surgical Strikes against militant launch pads across the Line of Control in Pakistan administered Kashmir.

On 30-09-2016, keeping in view the mounting tensions across the border and probability of escalation of situation, Government of Punjab directed to start the evacuation of residents from the 6 Border districts of Punjab. By chance, the DC and SDM office employees were on a “pen down” strike that day. But moment the orders came for evacuation, they were asked to give up on strike and they rushed to office & “Team Administration” swung into action.

Immediate task for the administration was to relay the message of evacuation to people of these villages in a sensitive yet effective way so that there is no unnecessary panic. Identification of buildings to be used as relief camps and making immediate arrangements of transportation, food and other basic amenities at these camps. Equally important was ensuring security of evacuated houses to check cases of theft and arrangement of fodder for the livestock of the people being evacuated. I had an important realization that how milch animals were such an integral part of their existence and importance people attach to their wellbeing.

26 relief centers were identified in next 2-3 hours and team of officers were deputed at each site. Through Revenue Patwaris and Panchayat Secretaries, the information on relief centres were relayed to the villagers. An important aspect noticed was a good network of public announcement system in villages through Gurudwaras and how crucial role it plays during difficult times when time is of great essence.

Simultaneously, there was a need to liaison with the Army and BSF. All necessary requirements for them for fuel/transportation/labour were identified and kept ready. It was also decided to have Thekri Pehras in villages.

Once planning in the office was complete, the undersigned along with Senior Superintendent of Police started touring the villages starting with closest village to the international border named Muhar Jamsher. This village was captured by Pakistan in one of the Indo Pak wars as it is connected to rest of the district through a chicken neck shaped bridge. So if bridge is attacked, the village gets isolated. To the surprise of the undersigned, people had started moving out with their belongings. Some on foot and other on their tractors/trolleys in groups. We stopped and told them about stationing of buses and closest relief centre. Some of them especially, aged ones recalled their horrid memories of last Indo-Pak war. The responses from people were varied. People were not panicky as they shared that people living in border areas are always ready with their bags to move. Some said that they can’t see much movement on the other side of the border so we need not move out, others shared concerns about moving out leaving their livestock behind and some shared that they won’t move out as they want to help Indian Army in case there is a war. But they had to be convinced to vacate the village. The undersigned was astonished to see their spirit and realized that for us it’s an order issued on a piece of paper but it’s so tough to leave one’s house without any certainty for future. That very moment, we thought that we would work tirelessly to ensure these people are comfortable in our camps.

People arrived in the camps and once the struggle for the basics was over in initial two/three days, the administration took a leap towards innovations and adding some entertainment in the difficult times. Since the camps were established in the Schools and Colleges, the Administration started the classes for the children in the vacant class rooms. Anganwadi centres were started for small children. For entertainment of the families staying at the relief centres, Daily screening of movies in the night was started in few centres where people staying were more. Nari Choupals were started for the young girls and women in the camps. It was thought that it could be an opportunity to interact with the woman from border villages and understand their difficulties. These choupals were used to motivate young girls to complete education and become economically independent.

My Learnings and Reflections

Coordination is the key in the administration. Such adversities exhibit resilience of our administrative systems as every department comes forward to contribute and plays its role to perfection. Usually in administration, departments work in silos. But, I realized that this situation brought every department work in perfect harmony with each other. If in our day to day working, one can work in coordination, greater success can be achieved in execution of various government programs and schemes.

Further, I learnt that if tasks are well defined, execution is good as every official understands what are the expectations from him/her. One has to empower one’s teams to take decisions as per ground situation.

Community participation is very crucial in all government initiatives. During this exercise, lot of people came forward for helping the administration. For example, market associations contributed by providing basic hygiene kits, food items etc and many other NGOs provided assistance.

Stakeholder engagement is helpful in execution of various initiatives in government. In the camps, complaints of unequal distribution of relief material was resolved to a large extent as people themselves were made part of the process.

Right Communication is the key to reach out. Administration could avoid panic situation by keeping channels of communication with media and people open at all times. Daily media briefing sessions could ally any fear or panic.

One can win over people’s heart/trust by showing compassion and empathy. People were satisfied with the arrangements in the camps as the district teams were sensitive towards smallest of things like providing of washing/bathing soaps to mosquito coils. Quick redressal of complaints and acting upon the feedbacks can make an individual feel cared. Visibility of officers in the camps every day and actively in the field gave them a sense of comfort. It’s so important in a district for the people to feel that officers are not “sahabs or madams” but someone who is so accessible around them.

Due to the collaborative effort of all the line departments, the entire exercise of evacuation and setting up of relief centers was carried out in a smooth manner. The camps continued for around 10 days. Though adversity brought us all together, but they all left as family members and we made a bond so strong!

Isha Kalia (2009 Batch IAS),Punjab

Disclaimer:

The views and experiences expressed in this article are those of the author in her personal capacity. This blog reproduces the article solely for public awareness and educational purposes. It does not represent or imply the official views of any government department, the Armed Forces, or the BSF. The article is shared with utmost respect for the service and sacrifice of all those who work to safeguard the nation..