Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 14: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today assured Jammu and Kashmir Government that it would “favourably consider” their demand for return of land, which was in possession of the Army, at Jammu Airport, Jammu University Tattoo Ground and Leh etc and convey its decision very shortly.
“The land which was not being used by the Army or the land which was not required to the troops, can be considered for return. The matter would be discussed with the Army Commanders in Jammu and Kashmir and a decision taken and conveyed to the J&K Government accordingly,” the Defence Minister reportedly told Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, who called on him at New Delhi this morning.
Return of the land by the Army at some places in all three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh was part of the `Agenda of Alliance’ (AoA) reached between PDP and BJP before formation of the coalition Government in the State. Dr Singh heads `Group of Ministers’ (GoM), formed by the State Cabinet on implementation of the AoA.
Parrikar is understood to have stated that Army would keep the land, which was required to it and would have no hesitation in vacation of the land, which was of no use to it or the Government was ready to give it alternate land somewhere else.
Assuring that the issue of vacation of land at some places especially Jammu Airport, Jammu University, Tatto Ground in Kashmir and some places in Leh would be processed after taking into account the view point of concerned Army Commanders, the Defence Minister reportedly said that due procedure available with the Army would be followed in return of the land.
The Northern Command of the Army has been asked by the State Government to vacate 2493.77 kanals of land in all three regions of the State including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh but the Army had put rider in vacation of land at all places that it should get equal land from the State Government at alternate places.
Presently, the Army has been asked to vacate 1710.77 kanals of land at Tattoo Grounds, 297 kanals land at Wuzur and 220 kanals land at Kalsar, all areas falling in the Kashmir valley, 136 kanals of land at Jammu Airport and 130 kanals land at Leh. Apart from this, it has also been asked to vacate the land at Jammu University, which falls under the Western Command. The Government has also asked the Army to vacate Kargil plateau for township.
On the demand raised by the Deputy Chief Minister for special recruitment drive in the Army for brave Dogras of Jammu, the Defence Minister appreciated the demand and said it would be discussed with the Army Commanders and considered as Dogras are known warriors and their role in the Army was commendable.
According to sources, several issues like situation on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, internal security scenario in the State, modernized fencing on the LoC to minimize infiltration by the militants from across and several other security related issues figured in the meeting between Parrikar and Dr Nirmal Singh that lasted more than half an hour.
The Defence Minister is reported to have said that Army was maintaining high alert along the LoC to tackle infiltration attempts and would take all measures to ensure smooth pilgrimage to Shri Amarnath ji shrine, which is starting on July 2 and will continue till August 18.
Parrikar assured the Deputy Chief Minister that Army would be deployed at Amarnath ji shrine and other places on the twin tracks of yatra route to ensure safety and security of the yatris, which was prime concern of both Central and State Governments.
Meanwhile, the Core Group today held high level review of security situation in all 10 districts of Jammu region with major focus on Amarnath ji pilgrimage and infiltration attempts on the borders and decided to further strengthen the Security Grid to ensure that the militants didn’t succeed in their plot.
The Core Group meeting held at Nagrota, the Headquarters of 16 Corps, was co-chaired by GOC Nagrota Corps Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar and Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar and was attended among others by Intelligence chief SM Sahai, IG CRPF (Jammu) Rakesh Sethi, IGP Jammu Danesh Rana, Additional Commissioner and other top brass of Army, police, security and Intelligence agencies.
“A joint strategy was chalked out in detail between all security and Intelligence agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region,” official sources said.
The meeting comes a day after terror attack at Kud on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in which two persons including a militant and a woman were killed and two civilians were injured.
The meeting stressed for very high alert along Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot National Highways, which have always remained target of the militants. Moreover, with holy Amarnath ji yatra due to start in the next month, the meeting called for strict vigil and surveillance to prevent such attacks.
Sources said deployment of additional para-military forces and police was discussed in detail in the meeting along the National Highways especially along Jammu-Pathankot Highway, the majority portion of which falls close to the International Border.
The Core Group was reportedly of the view that in the absence of infiltration attempts from LoC and IB, the militant outfits were sending their cadre from Kashmir to carry out terror attacks, which was evident from Kud incident yesterday.
Rajendra appreciated the role of all security forces in maintaining peace and harmony in the region. He emphasized the need for maintaining high levels of alertness to beat designs of inimical elements and exhorted all those present to continue with synergy and coordination at functional level to ensure incident free atmosphere.
Lt Gen Nimbhorkar stated that the Army and its various formations deployed South of Pir Panjal have been most proactively and aggressively dominating the LoC and the hinterland thereby assuring a peaceful and secure environment in the area.
He further said that the Army is ready to face any challenge that may emerge in the future and is ready to counter it with all its might.
The GOC appreciated the high levels of synergy in operations exhibited by all agencies in recent times. He encouraged all present to overcome contemporary challenges and work towards enhancing confidence amongst the people.
He further emphasized the requirement to be vigilant, alive and responsive to the developing situation and maintain peace and ensure a peaceful and conducive environment.
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