CHANDIGARH: After the Punjab government decided to evacuate villagers from border areas, following the cross-LoC's strike by the Indian Army, the move was called unwarranted and premature by military experts. Several senior retired defence officers, said the decision to vacate the villages was not well thought out, especially when the Army itself did not give any signs of mobilisaton and had not occupied forward defences. The Punjab state government had launched a big-scaled evacuation exercise in all villages in six districts of Fazilka, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot.
Former Director of Sainik Welfare Department, Punjab, Brig KS Kahlon, said, "There was no necessity to do this. This step has been taken in a great hurry with adverse impact on people who have standing crops which are waiting to be harvested in fields. Who will prevent vandalism of houses and crops." Former GOC-in-C of Northern and Central Commands of the Army, Lt Gen HS Panag called the move "premature reaction", adding a response from Pakistan was highly unlikely. "Thousands of villages have to be evacuated as per the Punjab government directive. It is ridiculous to do this. If we are to go on offensive then our villages should be behind you."
He said it made more sense to evacuate the civilian population in adjoining Jammu and Kashmir between Kathua and Jammu, where there is a history of firing from across the border. "Where is the need to do this in Punjab when you have such a large army with offensive capability. What are you scared of?"
Brig Kahlon said that even in full fledged wars the villagers of border areas had not abandoned their houses and had helped the Army personnel deployed in the area. “It would have been understandable to vacate certain areas if landmines were being laid. But as of now it is a hasty measure. Who will protect the livestock which cannot be taken into camps,” he asked. He added that he had been receiving calls from Sarpanches of villages along border areas who were complaining about the move.
