Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 7: Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said today that the Government was committed to construct concrete bunkers for the border dwellers notwithstanding lull in shelling and firing from Pakistan side and take all steps required for protection of the people living in the forward areas.
Starting his first two-days visit to Jammu and Kashmir by visiting forward areas along the International Border (IB) in Abdullian and Tube Well No. 5 in RS Pura sector this morning, Mehrishi declared that the Government was committed to construction of concrete bunkers for the people living in forward villages for “safety and security” of the brave people, who have been risking their lives to defend the country’s border along with the security forces.
Accompanied by Secretary Internal Security Ashok Prasad, Joint Secretary Rajat Pulhani and Director General of BSF DK Pathak from New Delhi and joined by IG BSF, Jammu Frontiers Rakesh Sharma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Pawan Kotwal and IGP Jammu Danesh Rana, the Union Home Secretary visited forward posts of Abdullian and Tube Well No. 5 along the IB in RS Pura sector for on spot assessment of the situation prevailing on the borders and problems faced by the border dwellers.
He inter-acted with number of people in the forward areas and listened to them. The BSF, civil and police officials briefed Mehrishi on the situation along the IB, which was peaceful after the four-days Director General level talks between BSF and Rangers in New Delhi from September 9-12 in which both the sides had agreed to maintain peace and tranquility along the border.
Reacting to demands raised by the people for immediate construction of concrete bunkers and allotment of 5 marla plots to them as promised repeatedly by both Central and State Governments, the Union Home Secretary assured the people that the Centre was committed to construction of concrete bunkers for the border dwellers and assured the people that he would submit a detailed report to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on his return to New Delhi.
On 5-marla plots to the border people in safe areas, he said the matter would be discussed with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for land acquirement.
It may be mentioned here that the Union Home Ministry has decided to construct about 200 concrete bunkers for the people living in forward areas along the International Border in three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua to protect the people from any sudden shelling and firing by the Pakistani Rangers, which has claimed several innocent lives in the border areas.
Mehrishi, who is on his maiden two days visit to Jammu and Kashmir after taking over as the Home Secretary on September 1, reviewed the security situation along the IB in the R S Pura sector where he interacted with the jawans and officials of the BSF in addition to a large number of local people.
He will submit a detailed report of the border situation to the Union Home Minister on his return to New Delhi.
He said that there was peace on the IB during the past over one month and would want the peace to continue.
“There has been peace on the IB for the past one month and we pray that the enemy will use their wisdom to keep peace in future as well”, Mehrishi said
When asked to comment on the purpose of his visit, Mehrishi said that he had come to meet the brave people who are guarding the borders.
“I have come here to meet the brave people who are guarding our borders,” he said during his visit to Abdullian border outpost, where he spent some time to get the first hand feel of the situation on the IB. The Field Commanders apprised the Union Home Secretary about ground situation on the IB while the people briefed him about the miseries inflicted upon them by Pakistan during past two years’ heavy shelling and firing in which several civilians were killed and injured, cattle perished, crops lost and property of the people damaged.
Replying to a question by the reporters at Abdullain BOP, the Union Home Secretary said that the country would not tolerate any attempt aimed at harming the secular fabric of the country.
“Even as the law and order is a State subject but the Central Government has asked for zero tolerance for the issues which harm the secular fabric of the country,” Mehrishi said while replying to a question regarding the lynching of a man in Dadri village of Uttar Pradesh.
He said that Central Government has already said what needs to be said on this and it is all over the news papers and they have issued an advisory which has been widely circulated.
In the afternoon, Mehrishi and Ashok Prasad called on Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar, where they flew from Jammu. They held discussions with Vohra on wide ranging issues related to the internal security arrangements.
During their hour-long meeting, the Governor and the Union Home Secretary also discussed issues concerning border management and the current status of post 2014 flood restoration of roads and essential infrastructure.
Sources said the overall security scenario prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir was also discussed during the meeting.
Tomorrow, Mehrishi will hold high level review of security situation in the State with top brass of civil administration, paramilitary forces, police and Intelligence agencies among others in Srinagar.
He will meet Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to discuss security situation and rehabilitation of flood victims with him.
The Union Home Secretary will also visit Kaman Post along Uri-Muzaffarabad route in Baramulla district of Kashmir to discuss enhancement of facilities for cross-LoC bus travelers and traders between two parts of the divided State. He will return to New Delhi late in the afternoon.
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