Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 12: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir including infiltration attempts from across the border at a high level meeting of top brass of the Union Home Ministry in New Delhi.
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju was also present at the meeting in which the MHA officials, looking after Jammu and Kashmir briefed both the Ministers on security related issues of the State including infiltration, construction of fencing along the border, development issues, progress of projects under Prime Minister’s Re-construction Plan and efforts to tackle militancy.
The high level review of security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir by the Home Minister assumed significance as annual pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath ji is beginning exactly after a fortnight for which the MHA has sent 90 additional companies of para-military forces to Jammu and Kashmir while Assembly elections in the State were also scheduled in the next few months.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Rajnath Singh, who had been a frequent visitor to Jammu and Kashmir as a BJP leader before taking over as the Home Minister directed the MHA officials, dealing with the sensitive border State, to take all possible steps to prevent infiltration from across the border.
The Home Minister directed the officers to take all possible stringent measures to prevent infiltration on the borders. He also reviewed the fencing along the borders and was briefed that some of the areas, where fencing was washed away due to rains, have been fenced again.
Rajnath Singh directed the officers to ensure that no area on the borders remained unfenced to give militants a remote chance of infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir to trigger any terror act. On March 29 this year i.e. just three days after Prime Minister (then BJP leader) Narendra Modi’s rally in Hiranagar, three militants had sneaked from border and killed two civilians and an Army jawan before the troops eliminated them.
Rajnath and Rijiju also reviewed internal security situation in entire Jammu and Kashmir with the MHA’s top brass including presence of militants in the State, number of the outfits, the activities of the militants and steps to neutralize them to maintain peace in the State.
Sources said the MHA officials gave detailed briefing to the two Ministers on the internal security and steps taken and required to be taken by security agencies including police for maintenance of law and order in the upcoming months when pilgrimage to holy cave shrine and Assembly elections would take place in the State.
Sources said Rajnath also review the problems of various refugees putting up in Jammu and steps required to address their problems. The problems of West Pakistan, PoK, Chhamb and other refugees were discussed in detail by the Ministry.
The Government was in the process to announce comprehensive package for the refugees.
Rajnath also asked his Ministry to take Kashmiri migrants into confidence before taking steps and announcing package for their return to the Valley.
“The Home Minister asked his officers to take Kashmiri migrants into confidence and work on measures that should be taken up for their return to the Valley,” sources said.
Schemes such as ‘Udaan’ for upgrading of skills of youth in order to improve their employability were discussed in detail at the meeting.
BJP had in its election manifesto mentioned that it was committed to ensuring the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley with full dignity. The number of displaced people post 1990 migration from the Valley following militant activities has increased by six-seven lakhs.
Officials earlier said a comprehensive plan is being worked out for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits with the Narendra Modi Government according top priority to the issue.
Enhanced financial assistance, security to life and property, Government jobs and other employment opportunities and subsidies ration will be part of the package that could be announced as incentive for the return of Pandits, they said.
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