Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 8: Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi today discussed security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and top brass of civil and police administration and steps required to keep the situation well under control on the borders and hinterland. He also visited Kaman Post along Uri-Muzaffarabad route and discussed with the authorities the steps required to boost cross-LoC trade and travel on the two routes in the State including Uri-Muzaffarabad in Kashmir and Poonch-Rawlakote in Jammu.
On second and last day of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Mehrishi joined by Secretary Internal Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ashok Prasad today called on Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh in Srinagar and shared with them the inputs with the MHA on security situation in the State and took their view point on various aspects.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the MHA was concerned over radicalization, repeated infiltration attempts on the borders, security situation in the hinterland and steps required to maintain peace in the State and the borders. The Centre has assured full assistance to the State Government in this regard.
Sources said the Chief Minister took up several issues with the Union Home Secretary and wanted the decisions on them to be taken up by the Union Government on fast-track basis.
Restoration of flood-damaged infrastructure, continuation of police modernization as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, immediate sanction of five Indian Reserve Police (IRP) battalions and up-gradation of police training institutes were among series of points taken up by Sayeed with the visiting Home Secretary.
Sources said the Chief Minister wanted the Central Government to speed up the process for restoration of infrastructure, which was damaged by September 2014 floods in Jammu and Kashmir. Mehrishi assured the Chief Minister that the Government of India was on the job and would speed up the clearance of projects.
According to sources, Mufti Sayeed also raised the issue of inclusion of livestock and crops due to cross-border firing in the existing ex gratia scheme under the Security Related Expenditure. He pointed out that a proposal to this effect has already been submitted to the MHA in October last year. It may be mentioned here that the expenditure under the SRE is re-imbursed by the MHA to the State Government.
The Chief Minister also took up the issue of enhancement in honorarium of Special Police Officers (SPOs), Voluntary Home Guards and continuation of cash payment in lieu of appointment in Government services with Mehrishi, the demands on which the Home Secretary assured that he would take up them with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. He assured that some of the issues raised by the Chief Minister would be taken up at the earliest.
During the meeting between the Union Home Secretary and the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary BR Sharma, Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister BB Vyas and Principal Secretary, Home RK Goyal were also present.
Rajiv Mehrishi later also called on Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and discussed with him the issues related to internal security management, border management and current status of post 2014 flood restoration of roads and essential infrastructure.
Dr Singh told the Excelsior that the issues of border dwellers like construction of concrete bunkers, package for infrastructure and people, security situation in Jammu and Kashmir including the borders, some recent killings and related issues were discussed in his meeting with the Union Home Secretary.
He said the Centre was committed to maintain peace in the State and keep the borders calm and quiet.
Meanwhile, Rajiv Mehrishi accompanied by senior officers of civil and police administration visited Kaman Post along the Line of Control (LoC) on Uri-Muzaffarabad route and discussed the steps required to boost cross-LoC trade and travel from the two routes in Jammu and Kashmir including Uri in Kashmir and Poonch-Rawlakote in Jammu.
The officers briefed the Home Secretary on the facilities being provided to the cross-LoC traders and travelers and more facilities, which were required to give boost to the trade and travel between two parts of the divided State.
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