Discussing Kashmir, border situation

21/10/2017

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti 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. 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. Mehbooba has repeatedly been calling for easing tensions on the LoC. 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. 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.

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