Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 18: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and was reported to have discussed him with situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir including borders with Pakistan and progress on Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), which had recently been hiked from Rs 80,068 crores to Rs one lakh crore due to cost escalation of several projects.
Mehbooba’s meeting, in which certain recent killings by the militants including former Sarpanch, SPO also figured, lasted about half an hour in the Union capital.
Sources told the Excelsior that the Home Minister reviewed initiatives taken by the Centre for restoration of peace and normalcy in Kashmir valley with the Chief Minister. The follow-up of Rajnath’s four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from September 9 to 12, were reported to have been discussed at the meeting.
Security forces have launched ‘Operation All Out’ in Kashmir against the militants in which several top commanders have been killed and arrested while others have surrendered. Top separatists and some businessmen have been arrested by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) in connection with terror funding and hawala operations.
Sources said the Chief Minister, who is visiting RS Pura tomorrow, was reported to have taken up the flare-up on Line of Control (LoC) with the Union Home Minister, which has also led to suspension of cross-LoC trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route for past over three and half months.
Mehbooba has repeatedly been calling for easing tensions on the LoC. However, according to sources, Pakistan continued to indulge in frequent ceasefire violations in Poonch and Rajouri districts, leading to casualties and damages. It was also due to heavy shelling and firing that cross-LoC trade and travel have been suspended on Poonch-Rawlakote route.
Recently, the Union Home Ministry had set up high-level Expert Group to examine problems being faced by the people living near the LoC and International Border headed by Joint Secretary (Internal Affairs) in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs Rina Mitra. The Group has been mandated to study problems of the border dwellers on LoC and IB and suggest steps required to mitigate problems of the people in view of Pakistan shelling and firing.
The Home Ministry has also given nod to construction of both community as well as individual bunkers on the LoC and IB.
Sources said the MHA’s Expert Group was likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir anytime after Diwali festival. The Group comprised Rina Mitra, Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs, who will head the Committee, Principal Secretary (Home), Jammu and Kashmir, RK Goyal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan and Joint Secretary (J&K) in MHA, Gyanesh Kumar, who will act as Member Secretary.
The Panel will examine demand of border dwellers for land for relocation, construction of bunkers and compensation issues.
The Committee has been asked to visit forward villages on LoC and IB in Jammu and Kashmir, inter-act with the administration and border dwellers, assess people’s problems and requirements and report to the MHA within two months. The Home Ministry would initiate process to mitigate problems of the border people after receiving recommendations of the high-level Panel.
Sources said the Chief Minister is reported to have sought release of funds in the State sector under the PMDP, which is monitored by the Union Home Ministry.
Sources said the Union Home Minister assured Mehbooba of all possible Central assistance under the PMDP and other Centrally Sponsored Schemes to ensure that the State didn’t suffer for want of funds. He also assured the Chief Minister that all assistance required by the State Government in maintaining peace in the Kashmir valley.
According to sources, the Home Ministry is reported to have taken note of some recent killings in Kashmir including that of PDP worker, whose house was later torched by the mob.
Sources said the Centre was satisfied with nearly peaceful summer this year especially after the killing of top militants and arrest of the separatists, which has choked funding to terrorists and those fomenting unrest in the form of street protests.
Yesterday, Mehbooba Mufti had met Railways Minister Piyush Goyal in the Union capital and sought early completion of Katra-Banihal rail line. Goyal had fixed 2020 deadline for completion of the project and assured to extend rail line to Kupwara in Kashmir and Poonch in Jammu.
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