Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 13: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will brief 30 to 40 Members of Parliament (MPs) of all political parties on Kashmir situation in New Delhi tomorrow especially the situation that has arisen after Monday’s attack by the militants on Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims in which seven yatris were killed and scores of others were injured in Anantnag district and steps being taken by the Centre in coordination with the State Government to tackle militancy and carry forward the annual yatra without any obstacle.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will also brief the same meeting on Sino-Indian standoff at Dokalam in Sikkim.
The meeting comes just four days ahead of the start of Parliament session on July 17, where the Opposition parties could target the Government on Kashmir situation especially the militant attack on Amarnath yatra, which had created resentment among the people countrywide.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Union Home Minister has obtained detailed feedback on Kashmir situation from three member Central delegation, which was deputed to the Valley after Monday’s attack on Amarnath yatra and will be briefing the MPs of all political parties at his residence at 4 pm tomorrow.
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley was also expected to join the meeting, sources said, adding that Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and para-military forces, was conducting massive operations in various parts of South Kashmir to eliminate the militants involved in the attack on Amarnath yatra pilgrims.
Sources said the Government has called MPs of almost all political parties for briefing by the Union Ministers on Kashmir situation and Sino-Indian standoff.
According to sources, the Government was expected to brief Members of Parliament of all political parties on the Amarnath yatra attack and steps taken by the Centre as well as State Government to ensure safety and security of the pilgrims for future yatra, which would continue till August 7.
The Government, according to sources, has taken series of initiatives in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Government for smooth pilgrimage for rest of 25 days, which would be explained to the MPs of all political parties at the meeting.
Sources didn’t rule out the possibility of Rajnath Singh himself undertaking a visit to the Kashmir valley for on spot assessment of the situation on both anti-militancy fronts as well as reviewing arrangements for pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji. The Government of India had deputed high-level three-member delegation to Kashmir after attack on Amarnath yatra pilgrims comprising Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir and Joint Secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs (J&K) Gyanesh Kumar.
Sources said based on the report submitted by three-member delegation to the Union Home Minister, Rajnath was expected to brief the all party MPs tomorrow on Kashmir situation and Amarnath yatra attack including steps taken by the Centre post-yatra attack to ensure that such type of attacks are not repeated.
Sources said the Union Home Minister’s briefing to all party MPs assumed significance as it comes close on the heels of attack mounted by some Opposition parties including Congress on the Centre Government for the attack on Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims.
Rahul Gandhi had yesterday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of pursuing policies that created space for terrorists in Kashmir. He had also alleged that Prime Minister’s pursuit of short- term political gains from the BJP-PDP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir has cost the country dear and resulted in sacrifices of innocent Indians.
PTI adds from New Delhi: Ahead of the Parliament session, beginning Monday, the Centre Government is apparently aiming to build a consensus to deal with its biggest neighbour as well on Kashmir issue.
In the latest tussle, New Delhi has expressed concerns over China trying to change the status quo at the India- Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction in Doklam area of Sikkim, where Indian troops stopped road construction by Chinese soldiers.
China and India have been engaged in the standoff in the Doklam area near the Bhutan tri-junction for the past three weeks after a Chinese army’s construction party attempted to build a road. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Doklam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.
Opposition leaders have been criticising the Government for the way it has handled the China and Kashmir matter.
The Congress questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” on China. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had also met the Chinese Ambassador to India.
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