Doval inter-acts with people, cops
Sec 144 relaxed in Jammu, imposed in Kargil
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 7: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval today visited Shopian district of militancy-infested South Kashmir and inter-acted with people and police personnel and assured the locals that their security is the Government’s responsibility while situation across Jammu region remained peaceful with restrictions in force in most of the districts.
Doval, who reached Kashmir yesterday, drove to most sensitive district of Kashmir in Shopian and inter-acted with the people on security situation and other aspects and was seen having lunch with locals on a roadside dhaba. He spent sufficient time with the local people. He gave security personnel deployed in the hot-bed of militancy a pep talk.
“The country’s leadership, its future depend on how capable our forces are, how trained they are and how high their morale is,” he told a group of security personnel in Shopian, which figured among most militancy-affected district in the Kashmir valley.
Doval arrived in Kashmir on Tuesday, a day after the Centre revoked the provisions of Article 370, which gave special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. He is reaching out to the local population in the Valley as a Confidence Building Measure (CBMs).
“Everything will be alright. Everything will be fine. Everyone should live peacefully. Whatever the almighty does is good. We are thinking about the growth and welfare of your generations. Your safety and security is our responsibility,” Doval told people in Shopian.
Doval returned to the national capital satisfied. In a report to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the NSA was reported to have stated that residents of the State were supportive of Centre’s initiative to scrap Article 370.
Doval was seen eating food on a footpath outside closed shops and talking to locals. He exchanged views with them on the security situation and the Government’s decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.
“Your children and their children will continue to live here. They will make their name in the world,” the NSA told people.
He also met policemen in the area and praised their role in containing the situation in the State for the past several years.
“Jammu and Kashmir Police is one of the best police forces. It has a special place for us. It has overcome various challenges and performed duties under exceptionally tough circumstances,” Doval told the policemen.
Later, videos of Doval, flanked by Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbag Singh, interacting with locals and policemen went viral on social media.
Dressed in a green sleeveless jacket and khaki and blue formals, Doval was seen telling the security personnel about their successes in the disturbed areas.
Meanwhile, situation all across Jammu region remained peaceful for third consecutive day of restrictions today while educational institutions including schools and colleges, both Government and private, remained closed and will also stay closed tomorrow as a precautionary measure excepting Kathua district. Some of the Government offices also re-opened in Jammu district today.
Shops too re-opened today in most parts of Jammu district after two days of closure and private traffic plied normally. Commercial transport like buses and matadors remained off the roads including the National Highways. Mobile internet services remained shut in entire Jammu region for third consecutive day. In sensitive districts like Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Poonch and Rajouri, telephone services have also been blocked.
Meanwhile, sources told the Excelsior that Section 144 has been releaxed for 5 hours from 11 am to 4 pm in Jammu district tomorrow in view of normal conditions.
Schools and colleges will reopen in Kathua district tomorrow as complete normalcy prevailed there, sources said, adding situation was also normal in Samba and Reasi districts. Pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi Ji cave shrine continued but rush of the pilgrims has declined due to restrictions during past three days.
Meanwhile, Kargil district of Ladakh division observed partial bandh for second consecutive day today in protest against separation of Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir and grant of Union Territory status to the region.
While shops in some of the areas remained closed, they were open in few other areas. However, the situation was absolutely normal in Kargil district. Some political parties have jointly given a call for bandh in Kargil tomorrow.
In view of the bandh call and simmering tention, Deputy Commissioner, Baseer-ul-Haq Chowdhary tonight ordered imposition of Section 144 in Kargil, Drass and Sankoo tehsils of the district.
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