Tourists’ safety in Valley on top of agenda
Will discuss delay in Panchayat polls with PRI reps
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 26: The Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Home Affairs during its four days visit to Jammu and Kashmir will review internal security situation and anti-infiltration measures along the borders with top officers of BSF, Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and civil administration and submit its report to the Parliament.
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The PSC is also expected to visit Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam to review the situation there post April 22 terror attack in which 26 civilians including 25 tourists and a local were killed leading to its closure. The Baisaran Valley has not been reopened so far for the tourists.
“The Committee is likely to review security measures undertaken for all tourist spots in Jammu and Kashmir for the protection of those visiting the Union Territory. While most of tourist sites which were closed for the people in the wake of April 22 terror attack, have been reopened, there are few others which are yet to be opened including Baisaran Valley, where the terrorists struck,” sources told the Excelsior.
Excelsior today exclusively reported that the PSC on Home Affairs headed by BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal will visit Jammu and Kashmir for four days from August 29 to September 2. The Committee had scheduled its visit to Jammu and Kashmir from April 26 lasting five days but it was deferred following Pahalgam attack. Some of the PSCs visited the UT in June-July but the PSC on Home Affairs scheduled its visit after Monsoon session of the Parliament which adjourned sine die on August 21.
Sources said the PSC will have detailed meetings with top security brass in Jammu and Kashmir to take assessment of terror-related situation in the UT as well as steps taken by the BSF to plug infiltration along the International Border (IB) in Jammu sector. Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts share the International Border with Pakistan and earlier there had been reports about infiltration of terrorists from the IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.
As reported, the PSC is also scheduled to visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji to review arrangements including security of the cave shrine, Katra, the base camp and along the tracks besides facilities being provided to the pilgrims.
In Kashmir, the PSC besides undertaking visit to Baisaran in Pahalgam, will also tour Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Srinagar and assess the arrangements made for the tourists, mainly the security.
In its meeting with representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), the Panel is likely to take feedback on delay in conduct of elections to Panchayats and Block Development Councils (BDCs). Term of the Panchayats and BDCs had come to an end on January 9, 2024. Besides Panchayats and BDCs, term of Municipalities had also ended in November-December 2023. Elections to them haven’t been held since then.
The Parliament Committee is also expected to meet senior functionaries and Government representatives in Jammu and Kashmir.
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