Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 10: Sixteen companies of para-military Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) have been rushed to different parts of the Kashmir valley, majority in South Kashmir, from New Delhi and Jammu for protection of Shri Amarnath ji pilgrims and strengthening presence of para-military personnel to tackle the protests.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who held high level review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir at his official residence in New Delhi this morning, has directed movement of six para-military companies of CRPF from New Delhi to Srinagar immediately.
“The six CRPF companies would be airlifted directly from New Delhi to Srinagar in special plane from where they would be deployed at vulnerable areas including the routes used by Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims in South Kashmir to ensure their safety,’’ official sources told the Excelsior.
They said nine companies of JKAP and one company of CRPF have been rushed from Jammu to South Kashmir and other sensitive areas by road to strengthen deployment of police and para-military to tackle the protesters and provide fool-proof protection to Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
The deployment of 16 additional companies would start taking place by late this evening and will be completed by tomorrow morning.
According to sources, the Union Home Ministry meeting, which was also attended by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Joint Secretary (Jammu and Kashmir Affairs) Gyanesh Kumar and Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Dineshwar Sharma among others, directed the J&K Government authorities to completely sanitize the routes taken by Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims including the National Highways of Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar, base camps of Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) and twin tracks of Chandanwari and Baltal.
Sources said apart from further protection of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims, rest of the additional forces of CRPF and JKAP dispatched to the Kashmir valley from New Delhi and Jammu, would be used for tackling the protests at different places in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander Burhan Wani.
The Union Home Ministry, according to sources, has conveyed to the State Government, that it was ready to provide more para-military forces to the State for tackling the protests and providing complete security to Amarnath Ji pilgrims, if required.
According to sources, the meeting held extensive review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and suspension of annual Amarnath Ji Yatra for past three days.
Sources said after holding high level review of security situation for about an hour, Rajnath Singh spoke to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on telephone, assuring her all possible help from the Centre Government.
Sources said the Home Minister was briefed on the law and order situation in Kashmir valley following the killing of Burhan Wani in Kokernag area. He had also telephoned Mehbooba yesterday and assured her all Central assistance, sources said.
At the meeting, the Home Minister directed officials to ensure that paramilitary forces in Kashmir provide all assistance to the State Government for restoration of peace and normalcy in the Valley as early as possible.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi told the meeting that the situation in the Valley is under control.
The Home Minister had yesterday appealed to the people of the State to remain calm and maintain peace.
Meanwhile, internet services remained snapped in entire Jammu region for second consecutive day today.
The mobile internet services were suspended in the Jammu region yesterday afternoon to prevent rumour mongering in the wake of killing of Burhan Wani. However, the broadband services were functioning normally.
Sources said the authorities were keeping strict vigil on the situation especially in Banihal and Kishtwar. While protests were held for second consecutive day today in Banihal against the killing of Burhan, a call for shutdown in Kishtwar has been given for tomorrow.
However, they added, the situation was completely peaceful and normal in entire Jammu region.
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