Excelsior Correspondent
New DELHI, Apr 15: Minister of State for Home of J&K Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, today made a strong plea to the Centre to sanction five additional special IR Battalions (Law and Order) to reduce dependence on central-para-military forces deployed in the State for law and order duties, adding that a proposal in this regard has already been submitted to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Speaking at the conference of Chief Ministers on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mr. Kichloo said that though overall security and general law and order situation has shown a tangible improvement in the last couple of year there should be no complacency in this regard. He said there was an urgent need to modernizes, upgrade and equip police training institutes to impart quality training to new recruits and in service police personnel. He strongly demanded to increase the honorarium of SPOs from existing Rs. 3000 to Rs. 5000 per month, adding that increase in their honorarium will go a long way in motivating them for better service delivery.
Mr. Kichloo said due to strict surveillance of borders by the security forces and specific intelligence inputs gathered from different sources including common people, by the Police and other intelligence agencies has resulted in considerable reduction in infiltration bids, adding that keeping in view the fast improving situation in the State, the foot prints of security forces are being progressively reduced so that people can benefit from the improved security scenario.
Mr. Kichloo said, in view of overall improvement in security situation, our Government has been pitching for phase-wise removal of AFSPA from the State, starting from municipal limits of Srinagar and Jammu cities, adding that this proposed more has been also been recommended by the Prime Minister Working Group No.1 Sagheer Committee report and the Group of Interlocutors.
He said there have been repeated demands from different sections of the society for withdrawal of the Act from the State. “Now that the AFSPA has played its role, both the Government of India and the State Government need to make concerted efforts for withdrawal of the AFSPA from the State in a phased manner so that the people can feel the impact of the changed security scenario,” Mr Kichloo mainatined. He reiterated that the demand for revocation of AFSPA is linked with the aspirations of the people and it will be an investment towards restorations of normalcy in the State.
Mr. Kichloo also dwelt in the length on the policy for return of ex-militants from across the border to J&K State and said that so far 257 ex-militants along with their 117 spouses and 367 children have returned by Nepal route. He said the Nepal route is required to be recognized as one of the routes under the policy.
Mr. Kichloo gave a detailed account of the welfare and development initiatives taken by the Government to steer the State in an era of peace, progress and prosperity.
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