In a significant decision, that will help the Leh flood victims piece together their battered lives, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council today announced free allocation of land to displaced families and also permanent shelters to those whose houses have been washed away in the August 6 tragedy.

An emergency meeting of the council was held today at Leh and it was decided that displaced families in Leh and Choglumsar area would be given free land at a safe and suitable location,” said chairman of the council Chering Dorjay, in an email to the Tribune. Also, the priority would be to provide permanent shelter to families whose houses stand ravaged, said Dorjay. The number of such houses would be close 2,500 to 3,000, even as the revenue department has to still come up with official figures.

Regarding the allocation of free land, the council has asked revenue authorities to look for suitable plots around Leh. Apart from giving priority to restoration of remote links, the council will also set up a website giving all details of the tragedy and relief efforts. This is aimed at informing the global Buddhist community that is keen on sending the aid.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister AK Antony today conveyed his condolences to the families of armed forces personnel, who lost their lives in the catastrophe.

Defence spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said Antony has lavished praise on personnel from the Army, the Air Force, the DRDO and the Border Roads Organisation for their crucial role in rescue and relief operations. Separately, sources in the government said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also lauded the heroic efforts of the Army Aviation corps and IAF pilots. As per the latest figures, Army has suffered eight casualties while 41 of its personnel have been injured. Another 27 Army personnel, including 3 officers, are missing largely from Tayakshi near Chorbatla on the Line of Control.

Ladakh will have its share of VVIP visitors next week with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi likely to visit the affected areas on Tuesday.

On the eve of the Independence Day, top security sources on Saturday confirmed the development to The Tribune, although the VVIP movement will be preceded by a ground assessment of the situation by the Army chief, Gen VK Singh, who is arriving here on Monday. The same day, Minister of State for Defence M. Pallamraju is also expected, with security cordons already being worked out in the area.

As for the city, it seemed least concerned about who was going to come though the civil administration is hoping for a generous relief package from the top politicians of the country who have not visited Ladakh for years.