NEW DELHI : Pakistan violated ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir 19 times since the new government took over and the Indian side retaliated appropriately in each case, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
“Our head has not bowed… This government will not let our heads bow,” Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said replying to questions in Rajya Sabha.
Jaitley’s response came when Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said Narendra Modi, before becoming the Prime Minister, used to accuse the then UPA dispensation of being “weak”.
Then why the government has “bowed” to the recurring ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Azad asked.
The minister said during the current year till July 16, there have been 54 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.
Between May 26 and July 17, 19 ceasefire violations took place along the LoC and International Border and in all such cases, there was retaliation by the Indian side, he said.
“All CFVs are taken up with the concerned authorities of Pakistan at the appropriate level through the established mechanism of hotlines, flag meetings etc,” he said.
Jaitley recalled that during the first meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif here on May 27, he had underlined the importance of border ceasefire.
“Our Prime Minister further emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility at the borders and upholding the sanctitiy of the LoC,” he said about the meeting that took place a day after the new government took over.
The two leaders also agreed that Foreign Secretaries of the two countries would get in touch to explore how to move bilateral relations forward.
Sharif had come to India at Modi’s invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.
Last year, there were a total of 347 ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir including 199 along the LoC.
In reply to another question, Jaitley said along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, the army has adopted a robust counter- infiltration strategy which has an appropriate mix of technology and human resources to check infiltration effectively.
“Innovative troops deployment, efficient use of surveillance and monitoring devices and fencing along the LoC have enhanced the ability to detect and intercept infiltration,” he said. (AGENCIES)
Pak violated ceasefire 19 times since Modi took over
Jawan killed along LoC
JAMMU : An Army jawan was killed in an exchange of fire with a group of infiltrating militants along the Line of Control in Akhnoor sector of Jammu district today.
A group of militants infiltrated into Indian territory near Chakla forward post of Pallanwala sector of Akhnoor tehsil, police officials said.
Troops of Naga regiment challenged and fired on them, they said, adding heavy exchanges took place.
In the firing exchanges, an Army jawan died, they said.
Defence Spokesman M Mehta said an infiltration attempt took place in Pallanwala sector this morning.
“Fire fight ensued and one jawan died. Search is in progress”, the spokesman said. (AGENCIES)
Inputs suggest threat of terror attacks on Amarnath yatra:Govt
NEW DELHI : There are intelligence inputs which suggest threat of terrorist attacks on Amarnath pilgrims, Lok Sabha was informed today.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said there are intelligence inputs about the plan of terrorists to target Amarnath yatra and the same has been shared with security agencies at the Centre and state levels.
Rijiju said since the beginning of the yatra this year, the reports of some incidents of stone pelting on yatra vehicles from Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district have been received.
In these incidents, injury to one pilgrim and damage to the windowpanes of three vehicles have been reported, he said adding the state government has been taking adequate measures to provide security to the Amarnath pilgrims. (AGENCIES)
Long Term Visa granted to 3,753 Pakistanis in 2013-14: Govt
NEW DELHI : Long Term Visa (LTV) has been granted to a total of 3,753 Pakistani nationals during 2013-14, the government said today.
Also, in the last four years, begining 2011, a total of 1,854 foreigners were granted citizenship of India, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
“Some Pakistani nationals belonging to minority communities in Pakistan including Hindus, who came to India on valid visas, have not gone back to Pakistan on the grounds of religious persecution in Pakistan. Representations have been received requesting for allowing extension of visas of such Pakistani nationals and also for permitting them to apply for Long Term Visa (LTV)…
“As per extant instructions, the Pakistani nationals staying on Long Term Visa under eligible categories with intention of settling permanently and obtaining Indian citizenship are eligible to acquire Indian citizenship in accordance with the citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship Rules, 2009,” the minister said. (AGENCIES)
Appropriate response will be given for ceasefire violations: Arun Jaitley
NEW DELHI : The government today said an appropriate response would be given for the ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the Line of Control(LoC).
Speaking during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said an appropriate response will be given for ceasefire violations.
”Na kabhi sar jhuka hai, na jhukne denge’ (We will never let our heads hanging),” he said.
The Defence Minister said till July 16 this year, there have been 54 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC and the international border in Jammu and Kashmir. He said during his bilateral talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was here to attend the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 26, Mr Modi emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility at borders and upholding the sanctity of the LoC.
(AGENCIES)
Landslide blocks Jammu-Srinagar NH; Amarnath Yatra halted
JAMMU: The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was today blocked due to a landslide in Ramban district. “National Highway was blocked early this morning at 0530 hrs near Khooni Nallah in Ramban district after the landslides on the highway due to rain,” polices said here. The pilgrimage towards the cave shrine was halted near Batote in view of blocked the highway this morning. “The man and machines are on the job to clear the road,” police said.
(AGENCIES)
Another batch of devotees leave for Amarnath
Jammu : Amid tight security, the 26th batch of pilgrims today left for the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas from here.
As many as 1,315 pilgrims, including 898 men, 310 women and 7 children, left from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in a cavalcade of 42 vehicles at 4:10 AM, police said.
The convoy has already crossed Kud on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and would reach their destinations at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps by this evening, they said.
With today’s batch, a total of 46,717 pilgrims have so far left from the Jammu base camp for the Amarnath shrine. (Agencies)
Four killed in cylinder explosion
Srinagar : Four persons today died when a gas cylinder exploded inside a community kitchen at Baltal base camp of Amaranth Yatra in Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
“At around 4.00 AM, when the workers of Shiv Shakti Langar started cooking, a gas cylinder exploded and the Langar caught fire. Four relatives of the sewadars (volunteers) of the langar died,” a police spokesman said.
Further details are awaited. (Agencies)
Major intrusion bid foiled; one killed; others at large
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 21: Even as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a high level review of security scenario on Jammu borders with top brass of his Ministry officials along with senior officers of the BSF in the Union capital, security forces foiled another infiltration attempt by the militants along the International Border in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district this evening killing an infiltrator.
The BSF was maintaining high alert on the IB in Hiranagar sector following inputs that other militants might still be hiding across the fencing and could make an attempt to sneak into this side during the night.
Official sources told the Excelsior that troops of BSF’s 68 battalion observed movement of a group of infiltrators near Pillar No. 82 at Karol Matrayan forward village in Bobiya area of Hiranagar sector in Kathua district at 6.15 pm today. Alert jawans of the BSF opened firing on the infiltrators killing one of them on the spot. The other intruders dispersed on Pakistan side.
“It was not clear immediately as to whether the remaining infiltrators escaped back to Pakistan or were still hiding across the fencing. The BSF was on high alert to thwart any attempt by the militants to infiltrate during the night,” sources said.
SDPO Border Diwakar Singh said police parties all along the border in Hiranagar sector have started patrolling in all forward areas to check any unwanted movement from the border. SSP Kathua Mohan Lal has also reached the spot.
Sources said body of the infiltrator was lying on the fencing but it has not been recovered so far as Pakistani Rangers or the militants could open firing.
This was second major infiltration attempt on the IB during last five days. On Thursday night, the BSF had thwarted intrusion bid by a group of five to six militants in Suchetgarh sector of RS Pura tehsil, forcing the militants to retreat.
Meanwhile, the MHA has issued an advisory to the BSF to maintain high alert all along the IB as there were reports of massive militant infiltration from across the border ahead of this year’s Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said that after receiving report from the BSF authorities on heavy firing along the International Border, Rajnath Singh held a high level meeting with top brass of the MHA and BSF in which a strategy was devised to effectively counter the Pakistani plans to infiltrate militants into Jammu and Kashmir in view of forthcoming Assembly elections in the State.
After the meeting, the BSF has been issued a set of advisory for the IB including strengthening of their positions all along the IB from Hiranagar to Akhnoor sector to counter the Pakistani firing with additional deployment and installation of infrastructure.
“The BSF has been asked to maintain strict surveillance on the IB especially during the firing as there were reports that the Rangers would open firing in one sector and try to infiltrate militants from another sector,” sources said, adding this had happened last week during border firing in Arnia sector when the Rangers tried to push a group of six militants from adjoining Suchetgarh sector.
Sources said the Centre was anticipating massive infiltration attempts by the militants from the International Border as well as Line of Control (LoC) under the cover of firing by the Rangers and Pakistan Army especially in the next few days in view of upcoming Assembly elections in the State.
“There were reports with the Government of India, Central as well as State Intelligence agencies that the militants would try to infiltrate from the LoC and IB and Pakistan Army and Rangers could give cover to them,” sources said, adding that Army and BSF have been asked to maintain high alert on the borders to ensure that the militants didn’t succeed in their designs.
The Army as well as the BSF have confirmed presence of militants across LoC and IB, who were awaiting opportunity to sneak into this side. Most of the infiltration attempts by the militants have been observed during ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army and Rangers, sources said.
Meanwhile, calm prevailed in Arnia sector as no firing was reported in any forward area after yesterday’s high level hotline contact between Inspector Commanders of BSF and Rangers last evening.
“Arnia sector was completely calm today. No firing incident was reported from any part of Arnia sector,” sources said, adding the high level hotline contact between BSF and Rangers has revived hopes of restoration of peace in Arnia.
Sources said if peace prevailed in Arnia, there was a possibility of flag meeting between BSF and Rangers in the next few days to discuss the issue of firing.
It may be mentioned here that a BSF jawan was killed and seven others were injured including three BSF personnel and four civilians in firing by the Rangers in Arnia sector on Wednesday while several houses were damaged and cattle perished in the firing in early hours of yesterday.
All newly created admn units to become operational by mid-Aug
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 21: With the Government issuing detailed roadmap defining the duties to be performed by the officers at different level, all the newly created administrative units will become operational by mid-August thereby giving practical shape to the long pending demands of the people.
Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that Government has issued roadmap defining the action to be taken by the Deputy Commissioners, Divisional Commissioners, General Administration Department, Revenue Department and other concerned officers in order to ensure that all the newly created administrative units become functional by the middle of next month.
It is pertinent to mention here that operationalization of newly created administration units, which include 46 Sub-Divisions, 135 Tehsils and 301 Niabats, received the nod of State Cabinet on July 16, 2014.
According to the orders issued by the Secretary Revenue Department, Vinod Koul, Deputy Commissioners are Nodal Officers within their respective districts for making the newly created administrative units functional.
The Divisional Commissioners have been appointed as the overall incharge for ensuring establishment and operationalization of the newly created administrative units by making all the necessary arrangements. The Deputy Commissioners will submit reports on weekly basis to the respective Divisional Commissioners about the progress made in respect of identification of sites/accommodation for making these units functional. Wherever, no Government accommodation is available, the Deputy Commissioners will arrange buildings for immediate operationalization of the newly created units on rental basis.
Similarly, the Divisional Commissioners will report progress in this regard on fortnightly basis to the Chief Secretary.
The Deputy Commissioners have also been asked to identify the State land measuring 2 kanals each for the office and residence of Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Tehsildars and adequate land for establishing Niabats.
Financial Commissioner Revenue will take immediate steps for identification, deployment and posting of the staff of the erstwhile Settlement/ Agrarian Tehsils against the relevant posts in the newly created Sub-Divisions, Tehsils and Niabats for making these units functional.
According to the another order issued by the Revenue Secretary, Deputy Commissioners will identify premises for establishing of the administrative units in a rented accommodation within 15 days from the date of Cabinet decision—July 16 while as General Administration Department will provide services of 46 officers in Time Scale to be posted as SDMs within one week from the Cabinet decision.
Similarly, Revenue Department will identify sufficient number of Tehsildars within 10 days from the Cabinet decision and Financial Commissioner Revenue will identify suitable officers to be appointed as Naib Tehsildars within 20 days from the Cabinet decision. Moreover, Financial Commissioner will furnish the list of qualifying Naib Tehsildars within one week from the Cabinet decision.
The Finance Department will convey authorization for allotment of funds for making temporary arrangements for establishing of offices as reviewed by the High Powered Committee within one week from the Cabinet decision.
SDMs/Tehsildars will be posted against the newly created posts/units within 15 days from the Cabinet decision and they will be designated powers of drawing and disbursing along with allotment of funds within 15 days from the Cabinet decision so that they can make necessary arrangements/procurement required for establishment of revenue offices.
SICOP has been asked to make arrangement for providing furniture as per the details worked out by the High Powered Committee for revenue offices within one week from the Cabinet decision while as Financial Commissioner has been asked to identify officers by making internal arrangements for providing of staff to proposed Sub-Division and Tehsils and post them accordingly within 20 days from the Cabinet decision. The Sub-Divisions and Tehsils will be made operational within one month.
As far as administrative units, which fall under Rural Development Department are concerned, the department will appoint all ACDs as Nodal Officers, who will identify premises for making CD blocks functional, within 15 days from the Cabinet decision.
A time-frame of one week has been fixed for the General Administration Department for making available 80 Junior Scale KAS officers for posting as BDOs. For the identification of officers against promotion quota to be posted as BDOs, a timeframe of 12 days has been fixed. For making necessary arrangement for procuring furniture and other items for the CD blocks, 20 days time has been fixed for the Rural Development Department.
Sanction has also been accorded to the creation of 5860 posts under various categories for the newly created administrative units by corresponding reduction, re-deployment and adjustment of 2187 existing posts.