Jammu, Oct 28 (IANS): The Jammu and Kashmir government will build a township at a safe place for the residents of border villages affected by shelling and firing by Pakistani troops, a state minister said on Wednesday.

Health Minister Choudhary Lal Singh, who visited the border villages in Kathua district of Jammu region to take stock of the damage caused by Pakistan firing, also assured of help from the government to the affected people.

He visited Manyari, Gujjar Chak, Chandey Chak, Kadwal, Patti Marru and Boobia villages, where he met the affected families.

The minister directed civil and police officials to be vigilant and to ensure the safety of the border people.

He also directed the sub-divisional magistrate concerned to submit a report on losses suffered by villagers so that relief could be disbursed.

The villagers raised various issues, including construction of concrete bunkers for every household, inclusion in backward area residents category and increase in compensation given to persons killed in cross-border firing.