Give generous relief package to residents of Poonch: Rahul Gandhi tells PM Modi

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi interacts with the people affected by Pakistan’s cross-border shelling during his visit to Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Poonch on May 24, 2025. | Photo Credit: ANI

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (May 29, 2025) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Union Government to offer a generous relief and rehabilitation package to the residents of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and other areas affected by Pakistani shelling.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Gandhi mentioned that he recently visited Poonch, where 14 people, including four children, tragically lost their lives and dozens were injured in Pakistani shelling.

“This sudden and indiscriminate attack has caused massive destruction in the civilian areas. Hundreds of homes, shops, schools and religious places have been badly damaged. Many victims said years of hard work have been destroyed in one stroke,” the Congress leader wrote.

“Today when they are going through this deep crisis, it is our duty to understand their pain and provide all possible assistance to rebuild their lives. I urge the Government of India to come up with a solid and generous relief and rehabilitation package for Poonch and all other areas affected by Pakistani shelling,” Mr. Gandhi added.

The Opposition leader visited Poonch in J&K and spent time with the affected people, including the families who lost their members in cross-border attacks between May 7 and 10. He also visited shelling-hit Gurdwara Singh Sabha, temple Geeta Bhawan and Madrassa Zia-ul-Uloom apart from interacting with the students at the Christ High School.

He also shared a video from the visit on his X handle and said the pain of Poonch can be felt only after going there. “I am not requesting, but reminding the government of its responsibility — a concrete, generous and immediate relief and rehabilitation package should be prepared for Poonch and other areas affected by Pakistani shelling. This is not help, it is a duty,” Mr. Gandhi said in a post.

Published - May 29, 2025 10:07 pm IST