Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar May 11: Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi today met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Governor N N Vohra and held extensive discussion with various security agencies on security situation in Kashmir and along the Line of Control and International border.
The Governor and the Home Secretary held extensive discussions about issues relating to effective maintenance of law and order. They discussed matters relating to the security situation along the International Border and LoC, increased attempts of infiltration and growing incidence of militancy in the Valley. They also discussed the law and order situation in Kashmir which is a big concern for the security agencies.
Earlier, Mehrishi called on Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here and discussed the overall security situation in the State. During the meeting, the Home Secretary discussed to overall situation in the State with the Chief Minister. They discussed the strategy to be adopted for tackling the growing militancy and law and order issues in Kashmir especially in South where situation is deteriorating.
Later in the evening, the Home Secretary was briefed by the senior police officers including Director General of Police S P Vaid and other security officials about the security scenario in the State, particularly in the Valley where student protests have been going on for nearly a month now and militancy is on rise, who are striking every now and then.
Sources said that the police top brass briefed him about the growing militancy in South Kashmir, law and order issues, student protests which are failing to die down, bank robberies, weapon snatching and security for Amarnath yatra.
They said that Mehrishi was told that the situation in South Kashmir is worst in recent years. He was informed that the security forces are unable to conduct operations as wherever they come out they are facing hostile crowds who pelt stones on them making conduct of operations difficult and it results in free movement of militants.
They suggested that security forces need to get control of the ground situation and then only they can conduct operations against the militants whose numbers are growing.
The top brass of the other security agencies also briefed the Home Secretary about the situation in Kashmir and suggested ways to deal with it.
Mehrishi arrived here this morning, a day after militants abducted and killed a young Kashmiri Army officer in Shopian district. Kashmir had witnessed violence during the April 9 bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat in which nine people lost their lives in more than 200 incidents. The Election Commission first postponed the April 12 polling in Anantnag Lok Sabha seat to May 25 in view of apprehension of violence during polling in South Kashmir. However, the Commission later cancelled the 25 bypoll, saying situation there was not feasible for holding election.
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