Rajnath reviews security with Guv, CM top officials
Sanjeev Pargal/
Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Sept 10: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today declared that Kashmir will be rid of militancy and violence and become a heaven again and that no power in the world can stop return of peace to the Valley. He indicated that the concern the Central Government has for Jammu and Kashmir and significance it attached to the State’s people, through his tweet, which said no other Home Minister has ever visited J&K so frequently saying he has come to the State fifth time within an year or so.
On his second day of four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Rajnath addressed CRPF and JKP jawans at Anantnag, met delegations and held high-level review of security situation in the State with top brass of para-military forces, police, civil administration, Intelligence and all other security agencies operating in the State.
“Kashmir will be free of violence and become a heaven again. No power can stop this from happening,” Rajnath said.
Reiterating that he has come to meet anyone with open mind, Singh said, “Magar Kashmir ko dehshatgardi say najaat dilao (but please rid Kashmir of terrorism).”
The Home Minister said: “Iss dehshatgardi se Kashmir ko nijaat mil ke rahegi aur phir se humara Kashmir jannat ban ke rahega (we will find respite from this unrest and Kashmir will be heavenly place again).” He also assured that no power can stop us from doing this.
He appealed everyone saying that they can approach him directly in case of any grievances or complaints. He added that he is ready to talk to them and accept the gesture open heartedly. “Sabse appeal karunga kisi ko agar koi shikwa, shikayat hai to seedha hum se baatcheet karein, mai khule dil se baat karne ko tayyar hoon (I appeal to all that if they have any complaint or grievance, they can meet me directly for talks. I am ready to meet with open heart),” he said.
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“Come forward to have talks, if you have any complaints or qualms. I am ready to have talks. Our aim is to make Kashmir free of violence,” the Union Home Minister said.
He added that no other Home Minister had ever visited the State of Jammu and Kashmir so frequently. “I have come to the State for fifth time within an year or so”.
Talking about police officer ASI Abdul Rashid, who was shot dead by militants in an attack in Anantnag on Tuesday and pictures of whose daughter crying over the death had gone viral, Rajnath said he was upset to see his daughter crying.
“I saw image of ASI Abdul Rashid’s daughter Zohra. After seeing her teary-eyed face, my heart cannot stop feeling her pain,” he added. It may be mentioned that cricketer Gautam Gambhir has taken responsibility of Zohra’s education. He also remembered the supreme sacrifice of police constable Imtiyaz Ahmad.
The Home Minister said the nation would always remember the sacrifices made by Abdul Rashid, Assistant Sub-Inspector of police (ASI), and constable Imtiyaz Ahmad.”I can’t bear the tearful face of his daughter, Zohra. Yesterday, another cop Imtiyaz was killed by militants”, he said.
Singh said that it is unfortunate that people are not ready to understand the sacrifices of Jammu and Kashmir Police. “JKP cops are giving sacrifice for Kashmir, for the country and for Kashmiris, but it is unfortunate that people are not ready to understand it”, he added.
It may be mentioned here that the ASI Rashid Ahmad was killed by militants in Anantnag town on August 28 this year while he was doing routine duties. Constable Imtiyaz Ahmad was killed and two other policemen were injured on Saturday in a hit and run attack at the Anantnag bus stand.
The Home Minister said it was only the local police that can help normalize the situation in Kashmir. He praised Jammu and Kashmir Police and said that he has no words to describe their bravery. “You are discharging your duties under extremely difficult conditions and even the Prime Minister has appreciated your services and bravery”, he said.
He said Prime Minister has acknowledged the bravery of the police in the State. “I have PM Narendra Modi’s message for you, he appreciated & acknowledged bravery and valour shown by you,” he said.
Singh told the Police personnel that they have nothing to do with politics. “You are working for the safety of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, you don’t have anything to do with politics”, he said.
Home Minister said it’s not only the J&K State, but the whole nation is proud of the bravery and valour of the security forces in facing the terrorism sponsored by the neighbouring country.
He said that militants claim to be fighting for making Kashmir a heaven but it is actually police and CRPF which is doing so. “There are militants who only want militancy while they claim to be fighting for making Kashmir a ‘Jannat’ (Heaven). But it is the local policemen and CRPF jawans who actually want to make Kashmir a real heaven”, he said.
Saying that entire nation including Prime Minister Narendra Modi were proud of security forces, he lauded courage and bravery displayed by the para-military and police personnel and jawans of all security agencies and assured them that the Centre was committed to provide best possible facilities to them.
“Your bravery and courage is unmatched. Nation is proud of you. Whenever, I meet the Prime Minister, he always appreciates your courage. We have taken many decisions for your welfare. We are ready to give more facilities to our Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel. Government will also consider helicopter services for CRPF in J&K.
“We have launched a scheme ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ to support the families of our martyrs. The nation is supporting courage of our security forces. We are proud of our CRPF personnel. You are born with unassailable and unmatched courage, It is my aim to provide at least Rs 1 crore to the families of martyrs from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs),” the Home Minister said.
Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel have also been working in extremely challenging conditions, he announced that the Centre has allocated funds for purchase of Bullet Proof vehicles for JKP and other latest equipments.
Singh said the Government is fully aware of the extremely challenging circumstances the Police and Security Forces are working under, and is making all out efforts for the security and welfare of the Police and Paramilitary personnel.
The Home Minister presented a memento to the CRPF team, which took part in operations in Pulwama recently.
Rajnath said the Centre has also approved funds for opening a Trauma Centre.
Reiterating the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Home Minister assured that the Centre will provide all assistance to the State, including resolving the housing problem of the jawans.
Meanwhile, Rajnath held high-level review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir at a meeting in Srinagar, which was attended among others by Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Additional Secretary MHA BR Sharma, Chief Secretary BB Vyas, J&K Home Secretary RK Goyal, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr SP Vaid, CRPF Director General Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar and senior officers of para-military forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police, civil administration and Intelligence agencies.
Sources said the Home Minister reviewed progress of ‘Operation All Out’ launched by security forces in which a number of militants including some top commanders have been killed or arrested in Kashmir. He was briefed by the security officers on roadmap ahead on anti-militancy operations to restore normalcy in the Valley.
According to sources, the Home Minister is reported to have expressed satisfaction with successes achieved during ‘Operation All Out’ and steps to control street protests in the Valley, which have reduced drastically after National Investigating Agency (NIA) raids on separatists and others engaged in terror funding and hawala operations.
Situation along the borders and successful thwarting of infiltration attempts of the militants also came up for review. Tomorrow, Rajnath would visit Nowshera and meet the migrants from Line of Control (LoC), who had to leave their homes in view of mortar shelling and firing by Pakistani troops.
Sources said top brass of security forces briefed the Home Minister on steps taken to restore normalcy in the Kashmir valley on both fronts including militancy and unrest. They observed that this summer was by and large peaceful.
Sources said the Home Minister was of the view that there was need to maintain the tempo against militants to get rid of them. At the same time, he suggested that the civilians shouldn’t suffer during anti-militancy operations.
Singh complimented the security forces for their successes against militants in the Valley over the past few months and urged them to maintain their guard. He asked them to put pressure on the militants so that situation is normalized in the Valley.
The Home Minister, who is on a four-day visit to State, is scheduled to address a press conference here tomorrow before flying to Rajouri district in Jammu division for the second leg of his visit.
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