Cabinet expected to give nod soon
*Scheme to fully counter targeted killings
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 30: A fool-proof security plan has been formulated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Jammu and Kashmir Government for protection of Kashmiri Pandit migrants in the Valley. It is expected to get the Union Cabinet’s nod soon before being implemented on the ground.
Kashmiri Pandit migrants especially those employed under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) were earlier targeted by the militants with selective killings but the trend now has been checked by the Government with their posting at district and tehsil headquarters and other security measures where they are posted and are residing.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the new scheme which will involve financial implications to the tune of Rs 250 crore has extensively been discussed at the highest level of Union Home Ministry and Jammu and Kashmir Government. The proposal has now almost been cleared and will be sent for the Cabinet approval shortly.
“Both Central and J&K Governments have been concerned about security of Kashmiri Pandit migrants though no major untoward incident has taken place for the past quite some time now. However, taking into account earlier selective killings of the migrants, a comprehensive plan for providing security cover to them has been drafted,” the sources said.
They added that the scheme will be taken up for implementation soon after getting nod from the Union Cabinet.
“Consultations for the Scheme have been completed. All details have been worked out,” the sources said.
As per the officials, the scheme involves providing additional security cover at all 6000 houses being constructed for the Kashmiri Pandit migrants and some of their offices at district and tehsil headquarters where they are posted.
“The security cover will be fool-proof and will ensure that the Kashmiri Pandit migrant employees are not targeted. At the same time, security concerns of Kashmiri Pandits who didn’t migrate and are living in the Valley will also be taken care of,” they said.
The Government has already approved 6000 posts and 6000 houses for Kashmiri Pandit migrant employees in the Valley. Most of the posts have already been filled up by the Union Territory Government.
“While some of the houses have been constructed, others are in the pipeline. Almost all houses are expected to be completed by next year and handed over to the migrant employees,” they said.
As per the officials, nearly 2500 to 3000 houses are expected to be constructed for the migrant employees by the end of this year and rest by the next year. Work on the construction is on, they said, adding that all formalities like allotments of land etc have been completed.
Both Central as well as Jammu and Kashmir Governments have been focusing a lot on security of Kashmiri Pandit migrants, Reserved Category and other non-local employees as they were previously targeted by the militants. Following intensification of security arrangements by the UT Government, the trend has been checked.
However, fresh security plan finalized by the Central and UT Governments is aimed at ensuring complete 24×7 security cover for the migrant employees, the sources said.
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