From 23-26 September 2005, members of the Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection (IIPDEP) toured villages in the Punjab (India) along the gun-affected border with Pakistan.

They met the service providers who are providing medical, social and economical help to victims of gun violence and landmines. The delegation met with the District Collector of Firozpur state of Punjab and district Sri Ganganagar of Rajasthan (Head of Civil Administration) and Chief Medical Officer (Head of District hospital) in addition to gun violence victims/survivors. The fact finding mission discovered that 90% of the hospital residents are farmers. Rehabilitation of these victims is needed to return them to the mainstream of society.

Report by:
Dr. Balkrisna Kurvey
President Indian institute for Peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection & Environmental Protection (IIPDEP)