Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reported to have assured Governor NN Vohra today that the Centre would regularly monitor situation developing in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Valley and frontiers with Pakistan and extend full support the State Government needs in maintaining law and order situation and tackling the militancy.
Vohra had an extensive hour long meeting with Modi at 10.30 am during which various aspects of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir including the Valley unrest, spurt in militant activities, situation on the borders with Pakistan and other related issues reportedly figured.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also had about 40 minutes meeting with J&K Director General of Police Dr Shesh Pal Vaid at his North Block office in which the State police chief gave detailed briefing to Singh including steps being taken by the police to restore peace and normalcy in the disturbed Valley.
Sources told the Excelsior that the Centre has decided to monitor the situation “regularly” in Jammu and Kashmir with Rajnath Singh meeting top security officials almost daily or taking feedback from them (on the situation) through different modes and provide the State Government whatever assistance they ask for on law and order front.
Sources said the Governor, who had met Rajnath Singh in the Union capital on Tuesday, has given his detailed analysis of the situation and steps required for restoration of peace and normalcy to both Modi and Singh. The Governor is in the capital for the past four days.
According to sources, the top leadership of the Centre is engaged in taking feedback from all the quarters including the elected representatives, security, para-military, police and Intelligence officials and heads of the State. The exercise has been going on for the past about 15 days and was expected to continue for few more days. Some security experts were also called by the Home Ministry for suggestions.
“The Central leadership has conveyed it to all that no leniency should be shown to the militants and their supporters but, at the same time, common civilians shouldn’t suffer,” they said, adding that regular security review meetings by the Union Home Minister on Jammu and Kashmir situation were turning out to be very useful with both Centre and State exchanging vital inputs.
Sources pointed out that the Centre Government was also deeply concerned about upcoming annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath ji shrine from June 29 and this issue figured prominently in the meeting the Prime Minister had with Vohra and the Home Minister with Dr Vaid.
“The Centre wants conducive atmosphere to be created in the Valley to ensure that Shri Amarnath ji pilgrimage was not impacted by the unrest and yatris were given safe passage right from Lakhanpur to the cave shrine,” sources said, adding the Government and the administration have been asked to begin preparations for the pilgrimage well in advance.
Forty day long Shri Amarnath ji Yatra in South Kashmir Himalayas this year is scheduled to begin on June 29 and will last till August 7 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Sources pointed out that apart from security scenario, Vohra also discussed developmental works in Jammu and Kashmir with the Prime Minister. The Government was of the view that development would get a pace only when there is peace and calm and the administration is able to devote full time towards works.
According to sources, situation developing along Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) with Pakistan also figured during the meetings between Modi-Vohra and Rajnath-Vaid especially after the beheading of two Indian soldiers at Krishna Ghati in Poonch district.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had met the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on April 24 in New Delhi after which Rajnath Singh has hold five to six security review meetings on Kashmir situation with top officials of the Union Home Ministry, CRPF, Intelligence agencies and J&K Government officials.
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