Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 28: Defence Minister, A K Antony, today stressed upon various security agencies to make efforts for reduction of the visibility of the Armed Forces in the State without compromising on the security.
While addressing a joint security review meeting at Srinagar in the afternoon, the Defence Minister said: “Efforts should be made to reduce the visibility of the Armed Forces as much as possible without compromising efficacy.”
While cautioning the Armed forces on Human Rights, he said: “In a democratic set up, like ours, there can be no justification for the violation of Human Rights.”
Antony stressed for better coordination between various security agencies to thwart the attempts of enemies to disturb peace in the State.
The Defence Minister expressed satisfaction at the improved level of coordination among various security agencies in the State. “It has lead to significant reduction in infiltration from across the border in recent times”, he said in his address.
He called upon the top brass of the Army, para military forces, state police and intelligence agencies to bring more synergy in their efforts to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the State.
Antony told the heads of the security agencies that the coordination mechanism should be made perfect to thwart any attempt from enemies to disturb the peace in the State.
“Enemies from across the border will continue their efforts. However, if the security and intelligence agencies understand each other better, the efforts of the enemies will not succeed,” Antony told the review meeting.
The security review meeting was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief of Army Staff Gen Bikram Singh, Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen KT Parnaik, GOC 15 Corps Lt. Gen. Om Prakash, Director General of Police Ashok Prasad and other senior officials of the State Government and central Agencies.
Earlier soon after his arrival in Srinagar, Antony, accompanied by General Bikram Singh, Shashi Kant Sharma and Lt Gen KT Parnaik flew into the Uri Sector to interact with the Army personnel deployed there. At the airport, he was received by Medical Education Minister R S Chib, and Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani.
At the forward posts on the LoC Antony was briefed by Lt Gen Parnaik and General Om Prakash on the security situation in the State and along the LoC. He was also briefed about the counter infiltration grid that has been strengthened over the years for countering the infiltration from across the LoC. He was told that it is because of the efforts by the Army at the LoC that desperate attempts of the infiltrators are being thwarted.
The Minister was also briefed upon the militant camps that are still operating in the PoK and large number of militants who are waiting at the launching pads for infiltration. The Defence Minister also interacted with the troops at forward posts.
Soon after the security review meeting, the Defence Minister, had a detailed meeting with Governor, NN Vohra, on the several important matters at Raj Bhavan this evening.
The Governor and the Defence Minister discussed various issues relating to internal and external security management, overall security situation in the State, and certain matters relating to the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in an hour long meeting.
General Bikram Singh, Shashi Kant Sharma, Lt. Gen. K T Parnaik, and Subash Chandra, were present during the meeting.
Earlier during the security meeting, the Defence Minister extended the Centre’s whole hearted support to the State Government for their development programmes.
He announced that the rate of rent of private land under occupation of armed forces will be revised next year by MoD, ground work for which has already started. It may be recalled that MoD had revised the rates in 2008.
The Defence Minister, Army chief and Defence Secretary and other top officials of the Ministry and Army headquarters will attend the dinner hosted by the Chinar Corps at BB Cantt Srinagar.
The Defence Minister will visit the forward posts in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district and interact with the troops on the LoC before leaving for New Delhi.
“The Defence Minister announced that rate of rent of private land under occupation of armed forces will be revised next year by the Defence Ministry, groundwork for which has already started,” the Ministry said in a statement.
The rates are revised every five years by the Ministry and the last revision was held in 2008.
The total area under possession of Army, Air Force and Navy in Jammu and Kashmir is 72651 acres.
In 2010, the Defence Minister had told Parliament that out of the hired or requisitioned lands, 15,496 acres are agricultural land and 396 acres are orchard land.
“Rent for hired land is revised every five years and the present rates were revised with effect from February 16, 2008, and the next revision of rentals is due with effect from February 16, 2013,” he had said.
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