Home, JKP, PHQ, Finance Deptt officials to attend
*Centre to modernize police to take on militants more vigorously
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 17: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will take up a proposal of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday for release of Rs 248 crore for purchase of modernized weapons to tackle militancy in the Union Territory especially in the Valley. The Ministry will also consider various other proposals for modernization of JKP which has been in forefront of fighting the militancy.
Highly placed sources told the Excelsior that the High Powered Committee in the Union Home Ministry will be holding a meeting on September 19 with senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir’s Home Department, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh, Police Headquarters, Finance Department and others to discuss the proposal and take a call on release of funds.
The MHA has, as per the sources, received a proposal from Jammu and Kashmir Police and Home Department for release of Rs 248 crore for purchase of latest and modernized weapons for the police personnel to take on the militants who have been changing techniques regularly at the behest of Pakistan and were also bringing high quality weapons from across the border during infiltration.
“Going by the prevailing situation in the Kashmir valley, the Home Ministry is likely to concede proposal of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Home Department for purchase of new weapons to the tune of Rs 248 crore,” sources said but added that a final decision will be taken in Monday’s meeting which would be held through video conferencing.
Apart from purchase of weapons, several other proposals for modernization of Jammu and Kashmir Police including their plan for 2022-23 will also be discussed during the meeting. Besides, there will be discussion on funds used during 2021-22 and unspent funds of the last financial year.
The meeting, according to sources, assumed significance as it comes at a time when security forces including Jammu and Kashmir Police were engaged in almost regular operations against the militants and have killed a number of them including top commanders and Pakistani nationals operating in the Valley.
“Purchase of sophisticated and modernized weapons for Jammu and Kashmir Police has become necessary as it has been observed during recent infiltration attempts that militants were equipped with latest M4 Carbine and many other latest technique weapons. To counter such a threat, Jammu and Kashmir Police also needs to be fully prepared,” sources said.
They added that it was in this context that the meeting has been called to take the final call.
Sources said the amount approved for purchase of latest weapons is likely to be included in the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) of Jammu and Kashmir Government.
The meeting of High Powered Committee will also take up other issues pertaining to modernization of Jammu and Kashmir Police, they pointed out.
“Some other issues might also come up for review during the high-level meeting though major focus will be on purchase of weapons and modernization of police,” sources said. Senior officers will brief the Union Home Ministry officials and project their requirements.
While various security agencies are engaged in anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Valley including Army and Central Armed Police Forces, Jammu and Kashmir remained in forefront in fight against militancy. This year, a number of militants have been killed in the Valley. They include top commanders and foreign militants. Besides, many others have been apprehended.
Last month, Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah had reviewed prevailing security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and senior officers of CAPFs in New Delhi and top brass of civil and police administration and Intelligence agencies of the Union Territory in which a number of decisions were taken to keep the situation well under control.
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