Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 6: On his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi will hold high level review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir including the International Border (IB) in Jammu during his two days visit to the State from tomorrow and preside over high level security review meeting in Srinagar apart from having one-to-one meetings with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Mehrishi will be visiting Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after taking over as the Home Secretary on September 1 this year from LC Goyal. His visit comes barely few days after three days visit of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Jammu and Leh from September 21 to 23 during which he had extensively toured the areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and reviewed security scenario with top brass of Into-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Official sources told the Excelsior that soon after his arrival here from New Delhi tomorrow morning, Mehrishi will fly to Satowali forward post along the International Border (IB) in RS Pura sector. He will visit Abdullian and Korotana Border Out Posts (BOPs) also in RS Pura and Arnia sectors and fly over some other forward posts for on spot assessment of the situation prevailing on the borders, which were calm since four days Director General level meeting between BSF and Rangers from September 9-12.
Sources said the Union Home Secretary will review situation on the IB with top brass of BSF, civil administration and police. He will also acquaint himself with the border situation and problems faced by the people due to Pakistan shelling and firing, which have, however, stopped after the Director General level talks. He will inter-act with people living in forward places at some of the BOPs during his visit to the International Border.
According to sources, the Centre was concerned about infiltration attempts by the militants and reports that a number of militants were camping across the borders awaiting opportunities to sneak into this side. The BSF top brass will brief Mehrishi about steps taken to check infiltration attempts on the IB and other related issues. Several other significant security related issues were expected to come up for review during the meeting.
Sources said though the borders were calm at this stage, the Centre wanted to go ahead with its proposal to construct concrete bunkers for the border dwellers as Pakistan can’t be trusted for maintaining peace and tranquility every time.
In the afternoon, the Union Home Secretary will fly to Srinagar tomorrow afternoon, where he will hold high level review of security situation with top brass of civil administration, para-military forces, police, intelligence and other agencies.
The security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir especially the militancy related situation, radicalization, border situation and other issues of law and order were expected to come up for high level review in the meeting.
The Home Secretary will meet Governor NN Vohra on Wednesday and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Thursday. On Thursday, he will also visit Kaman Post along Uri-Muzaffarabad route to review facilities for cross-LoC bus service and trade between two parts of divided State. The Centre proposed to increase facilities for cross-LoC travelers and traders along Uri-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote routes.
Mehrishi will return to New Delhi in the afternoon on October 8.
Sources said the Centre wanted to regularly monitor situation in Jammu and Kashmir to help the State Government in whatever way possible to maintain law and order situation, keep the militancy under control and keep the LoC and IB calm and quiet.
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