In a rather lengthy meeting of DGP K. Rajendra with the Home Secretary R.K. Singh at the Home Ministry in New Delhi, several matters pertaining to current security scenario in the State were reviewed. Since this was DGP’s first meeting with the Home Secretary, naturally it assumed some significance and the Home Secretary must have desired to know the views of the DGP who has only recently (June 1) assumed the charge of his post. K. Rajendra is not new to the State; he has rendered duty in the valley earlier also and is known for his professional eminence.
Recent disclosures about nexus between some JK Police constables and HM outfit have stirred hornet’s nest. The State police have begun probing into the episode while print media has hinted that investigation in the matter is likely to lead to starting revelations. DGP reported the Home Secretary that he has ordered constituting of a SIT. By now the police should have completed investigation and come out with its findings. Hindsight shows that in recent months police, CRP personnel and some civilians were made targets of militant attacks. General impression is that these attacks could not have taken place without the involvement of insiders. Some months back, militants had made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of Law Minister when he had gone to see his brother in Khwaja Bazar locality in Srinagar. Sections of media had dropped hints of involvement of insiders in the case. Nobody knows whether an enquiry into that event was made or not. Subsequent events also suggest that insiders have been active. Reports say that the handlers of Kashmir militants have made some tactical changes in their subversive activities. For example militants are directed not to target army personnel but concentrate on police force and such civilian organizations as contribute to the stability of the Government like the Panchayats. Taking serious note of this situation, Home Secretary has given clear instructions to reach the bottom of the conspiracy and bring the culprits to book.
Upcoming Amarnath cave shrine yatra also came under review. The Government is seized of security concerns of the yatra and the Home Ministry has been making periodic survey of security scenario. Home Ministry officials have been visiting Srinagar and taking stock of things to ensure that yatra will pass smoothly. There is extraordinary rush of tourist-pilgrims to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and about 40000 pilgrims visit the hilly shrine every day. This has also put great pressure on the security forces particularly the state police force. Government seems to be satisfied with the security arrangements made so far. The number of pilgrims to Shri Amarnath Cave is expected to be the largest in comparison to previous years and the police claim to have made elaborate arrangement for safe journey of the pilgrims along both the routes.
However DGP Rajendra is reported to have pleaded, albeit unsuccessfully with the Home Secretary for enhancing the annual amount of modernization of police force to the tune of 113 crore rupees. There has been a cut of 10 per cent in the police modernization allocations for the current financial year and the allotted amount remains at 100 crore. Modernization entails a number of heads like housing unites for policemen, purchase of more sophisticated weapons, streamlining transport and communication facilities etc. However the Union Government has imposed a ban on purchase of new vehicles for a period of one year as a measure of austerity. This applies to all states and not only to J&K.
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