LG briefs Defence Minister on LoC situation, anti-militancy ops

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Wednesday.

No shot fired on border after ceasefire

Sinha also calls on Om Birla in Parl

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and discussed with him security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir after ceasefire between India and Pakistan militaries last month. He also met Speaker Om Birla.
Sinha’s meeting with the Defence Minister came amidst ceasefire on the LoC and all other Sectors between India and Pakistan which was enforced by the two militaries on February 25. Since the fresh ceasefire which was follow up of November 2003 agreement between the two neighbours, not a single shot has been fired either on the LoC or on the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir @manojsinha calls on Defence Minister,” a tweet by the Defence Minister said.
There was no official word on what transpired at the meeting between Rajnath and Sinha either by the Defence Ministry or the Union Territory Government.
However, there were reports that situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir including the LoC and hinterland besides operations being conducted against the militants by Army, para-military personnel and Jammu and Kashmir Police figured at the meeting. The Lieutenant Governor gave detailed briefing on the situation to Rajnath Singh.
With LoC and International Border completely calm after the fresh ceasefire, security forces have intensified operations against the militants in Jammu and Kashmir leading to killing of several militants including top commanders in the Valley and arrest of hardcore militants in Jammu including the chief of Lashkar-e-Mustafa (LeM) and activists of various other outfits.
People have heaved a sigh of relief on the borders including LoC as well as IB after ceasefire reviving hopes that they will be able to cultivate their crops right up to the Zero Line shortly as used to be the case after ceasefire agreement was first enforced in November 2003 by the then Governments of India and Pakistan.
The Defence Ministry has been constantly reviewing situation along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir where no major infiltration attempt by the militants has been reported after fresh enforcement of ceasefire. However, the Army has made it clear that intrusion bids by the militants along the borders will be foiled and that ceasefire will not apply in such cases.
Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor also called on Speaker Om Birla in the Parliament.
A tweet by the Speaker said they discussed different topics during the meeting.
It may be mentioned here that annual budget of Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to be presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during ongoing second part of budget session.
There have been report that the budget session could be cut short in view of Assembly elections in four States and one Union Territory.
Second half of budget session had resumed on March 8 and budget of Jammu and Kashmir could be presented in the Parliament around March 15. Last year, it was presented on March 17.
Budget of Jammu and Kashmir had to be presented in the Parliament as there is no Legislative Assembly in the Union Territory because of delay in delimitation of Assembly constituencies by the Delimitation Commission whose one-year term was recently extended by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice by another year.
There were reports that budget of Jammu and Kashmir is in final stage and will be presented by the Union Finance Minister in the Parliament shortly after being given final touch.