Political leaders becoming soft targets after forces: CM

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 26: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that Maoists have been finding political leaders as soft targets as para-military forces and police have strengthened their preparedness and changed strategy after suffering initial setbacks. He said the internal security meeting being held in New Delhi on June 5 or 6 would take up the attacks.
Omar was speaking to reporters after throwing open for traffic the fourth bridge on Tawi, the longest on the river so far, which has been completed before deadline and laying foundation stone of Fly Over and widening of road from Bikram Chowk to Convent Crossing.
“We have seen this in Kashmir also where security forces became target of the militants. However, when such elements failed to match the fire power of security forces, they looked for soft targets and political leaders are the soft targets. In Chhatisgarh also, after the killing of 90 CRPF jawans, the para-military and police have become well prepared and shifted their strategy. With this the politicians, who had to go to the people, became the soft targets,” Omar said replying to a question.
He said there definitely appeared to be some kind of lapse in yesterday’s Maoist attack at Chhatisgarh, where senior Congress leaders including the PCC (I) chief and his son were killed and a former Union Minister (Vidya Charan Shukla) were injured. It appeared that proper road opening and other security measures had not been taken, he added.
Expressing condolences to families of those killed in maoists attack on a convoy of Congress party in Bastar belt of Chhatisgarh, Omar favoured strong steps to wipe out maoists.
“We condemn the attacks in Chhatisgarh. We also express sympathies with the families who have lost their nears and dears. We condole their deaths.
“There are some elected representatives killed in the attack–PCC chief and his son have also been killed–from me and my colleagues, we condole the deaths and convey messages of condolences to their families,” Omar said.
He added: “to wipe out them (maoists), there is need to take strong and stern steps (by the State and Central Governments)”.
Omar said: “both Centre and State Governments of those (maoist-hit) States should take strong steps–because maoist attacks cannot be stopped easily”.
Her further said, “On 5th or 6th of June, there is internal security conference, which has been called (in New Delhi). The activities of maoists should be discussed separately”.
At least 27 people, including Chhatisgarh Congress chief Nandkumar Patel and his son Dinesh, senior leader Mahendra Karma, ex-MLA Uday Mudliyar, were killed and 32 others injured in the Maoist ambush in the forested area of Bastar district yesterday.
Replying to a question why this time Maoists have attacked political setup rather than their usual target– security forces, Omar said, “As the political activities have increased, they (Maoists) are finding for soft targets to hit them–political targets are always soft (to hit)–Our works is to be within the people”.
Pointing towards the elections in Chhatisgarh, Omar said “Chhatisgarh elections preparations were going on–that is why they (Maoists) took benefits of it”.
Replying to question on security lapses, the Chief Minister said “because there was a former Union Minister, elected representatives, PCC president etc–in this situation, if such an attack takes place, it is evident that (security) preparation on the ground, was not perhaps done”.
Meanwhile, Omar today dedicated fourth bridge on river Tawi to the people of Jammu. He inaugurated the bridge at about 11 am after which the traffic started moving on it.
Works Minister Abdul Mujeed Wani told the Excelsior that the bridge has been completed well ahead of the deadline. He said it was the longest bridge on river Tawi with 750 meters length. He added that several areas ahead of Canal Road would get an alternate road link with the commission of the bridge as traffic would be diverted from Ware House to Bhagwati Nagar.
Traffic congestion from Jewel Chowk to Canal Road would be eased, sources said, adding entire heavy traffic of Akhnoor, Rajouri and Poonch would be diverted from Asia Crossing to Ware House and new bridge. Some more approach roads would be constructed to further ease the traffic rush.
Omar also laid foundation stone of Fly Over and eight laning of Vikram Chowk-Convent Crossing road earlier.
Saurabh Bhagat, Chief Executive Officer of Economic Re-construction Agency (ERA) told the Excelsior that entire project would be completed in three years at a cost of Rs 95.5 crores. He said work on eight laning of road and Fly Over would start simultaneously.
The eight laning of road, construction of two pedestrian sub ways at Kala Kendra and Women College, Gandhi Nagar and eight bus ways would be completed in the first phase between 10 to 12 months after which work on Fly Over would pick up, Mr Bhagat said
He added that seven to eight rigs would be used to construct a total of 53 piers of the Fly Over to expedite the work.
“We have to undertake construction work in such a way that traffic was not disrupted on the road. We hope to complete widening of road work to some extent before the Durbar Move,” Mr Bhagat said.
The four lane Fly Over would have 1.3 kilometers length while eight lane widening of road would be 1.5 kilometers from Bikram Chowk to Convent Crossing.
Rs 89.05 crore 4-lane fourth Tawi bridge is located at the downstream of the existing bridge over Tawi River and is aimed at providing relief to traffic congestions of Tallab Tillo, Bakshi Nagar and other areas along Akhnoor Road on one side and Gandhi Nagar, Satwari, Jewel Chowk, Dogra Chowk and Canal Road areas on the other. It would also take the load of the traffic of Rajouri and Poonch.
Second phase of the project envisaged construction of a 12 km road from Bhagwati Nagar to TV Tower Akhnoor Road at an estimated cost of Rs 102 crore.
Expressing hope that the bridge would prove to be a great relief to commuters, especially heavy vehicle operators, who can now bypass Jammu city while travelling towards Akhnoor, Omar said the bridge would help in smooth flow of traffic.
He said that efforts to smoothen the flow of traffic in the State were included in the priority list of the State Government.
In addition to the various schemes of the Government, which were under implementation, construction of Fly Overs at Jammu and Srinagar will be important to provide additional road corridors and ease movement of traffic, he said .
Bikram Chowk-Convent Crossing Fly Over project in South Jammu city will be second Fly Over after construction of B C Road Fly Over in the interior city, which is currently operational.
On the occasion, Omar said rehabilitation of shopkeepers and others to be affected by the construction of Srinagar and Jammu Fly Overs is being attended holistically and he has directed the concerned agencies to ensure proper rehabilitation of all such person.
Bikram Chowk-Convent Crossing Fly Over project is likely to cost over Rs 84.8 crore and is expected to be completed within 36 months.
Planning Minister Ajay Sadhotra, R&B Minister Abdul Mujeed Wani, PHE Minister Sham Lal Sharma, Housing Minister Raman Bhalla, MoS Health Shabir Khan, MoS Works Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo and NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana besides legislators and senior officers were present on the occasion. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand was conspicuous by his absence.

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