By Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 10: Former Union minister and president Pradesh Congress Committee, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz today said that visiting Union Home Minister P Chidambram was satisfied with the security environment in the State and stressed for joint efforts by both the ‘coalition partners’ for further improving the situation here.
The PCC chief who met the Union Home Minister along with a delegation of about fifty Congress functionaries including Dy Chief Minister Tara Chand, some cabinet ministers, legislators and several former ministers and senior party functionaries at State Guest House here this afternoon, told the Excelsior that nearly fifty-five minute dialogue with the Home Minister was held under good and peaceful atmosphere. He said Mr Chidambram was satisfied with the over all security environment in the State. He also referred to the security review meeting which was held here today with various representatives from security agencies. The Union Minister said that last summer had remained peaceful in Kashmir and he was hopeful that this summer will also pass off peacefully. He, however, asked to remain alert from the designs of the anti-national forces. He said it was joint responsibility of both the coalition partners to work in tandem and carry forward the peace agenda and help in improving over all situation in the State.
Prof Soz said the Home Minister expressed that an improvement in the tourists influx and pilgrims rush at Mata Vaishnodevi and Shri Amarnath shrine every year has been witnessed which is clear indicative of normalization of situation in the State. He stressed that both the coalition partners (Congress and NC) have to play a crucial role in further normalizing situation in the State. It was emphasized to improve the tourism infrastructure and facilities for the pilgrims visiting the State. The contribution of security forces including paramilitary forces, VDCs, SPOs and police in improving situation also came for discussion during the meeting.
Referring to the issues of border migrants and PoK refugees, Prof Soz said that he and several other party leaders projected the issue forcefully. It was stressed to resolve their issues once for all by providing adequate compensation. The demand regarding enhancement of cash relief of migrants and special package for Jammu migrants and border people was also projected during dialogue with the Home Minister. When asked about any talks regarding Armed Force Special Powers Act or Interlocutors, Soz said no such issue was discussed with the Home Minister during today’s meeting. He however, said that issue of smooth trade and travel between two sides along the LoC had taken place and he has also emphasized on the same during rally in Kashmir yesterday.
Another senior leader said though earlier, thirty minute time was provided to the 50-member Congress delegation but the time was extended to 55 minutes. He said Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla projected the demand of Rs 1775 crore special package for settlement of PoK, West Pakistan refugees and displaced persons from Chhamb once for all. The demand was also projected before the Union Home Minister to provide cash relief in favour of Jammu migrants at par with the Kashmiri migrants. Some Congress men also pointed out that with the fencing of LoC, infiltration has been contained to large extent specially in Rajouri and Poonch. It was projected that role of armed forces, para-military forces and police besides SPOs and VDCs has been crucial in containing militancy and improving situation in the State. They said that armed forces have a crucial role to play in the State under present situation.
Prominent among those who accompanied Prof Soz included, DyCM Tara Chand, Pt Mangat Ram Sharma, Dharam Pal Sharma, Ministers Raman Bhalla, Sham Lal, Peerzada Mohd Sayed, Dr Manohar Lal, Shabir Khan, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Madan Lal Sharma (MP), Ch Lal Singh (MP), Ravinder Sharma, Ghulam Mohd Saroori, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Bashir Ahmed Magray, Indu Pawar, Subash Chander Gupta, Naresh Gupta and others.
Meanwhile, another deputation of Pahari Culture & Welfare Forum led by former minister Mushtaq Bhukhari called on Union Home Minister and apprised him about their demands. Several other members of the Forum from Rajouri and Poonch accompanied Mr Bukhari.
A deputation of All Party Sikh Coordination Committee led by Jagmohan Singh Raina, chairman, presented a charter of demands to the visiting Home Minister at Guest House today. The other members of the deputation included Ajeet Singh Mastana, Paramjeet Singh Bali, Dr Sheetal Singh, advocate Teja Singh, Harcharan Singh Khalsa, Kulbir Singh, Mohinder Singh, H S Raina and Surinder Singh.
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