SYED ALI SAFVI
SRINAGAR, Oct 31: Directing police and paramilitary CRFP men to exercise utmost restraint while dealing with pro-freedom protestors in the valley, Home Minister, P Chidambaram, today said that only political solution could guarantee lasting peace in the conflict-ridden valley of Kashmir. He also expressed optimism over the resumption of dialogue process between New Delhi and separatists.
Away from media glare, Chidambaram arrived here this afternoon, and reviewed the overall security situation with top civil, police CRPF and Army officials in three most volatile north Kashmir districts, besides chairing a meeting of the unified headquarters along with chief minister, Omar Abdullah, late in the evening. He also reviewed the pace of developmental works in Kargil district and had a detailed meeting with the chief minister before flying back to New Delhi.
Pertinently, in run up to the first ever visit of United State’s president, Barack Obama, to India in November, the visit of Chidambaram to Kashmir is considered very significant, particularly in the light of reports that there might be a repeat of Chattisinghpora like massacre in the valley.
Significantly, some unidentified gunmen had gunned down 36 Sikhs in Chattisinghpora village in south Kashmir's Anantnag district in March 2000, during the visit of then US President Bill Clinton to India.
The visit also assumes significance as it comes close on the heels of the visit of three-member panel of interlocutors nominated by New Delhi.
Stating that restoring peace in the valley was first and foremost priority of New Delhi, Chidambaram assured the people of Kashmir that the promises made to them by New Delhi would be fulfilled and the dialogue process would be resumed to pave the way for resolution of Kashmir issue.
“The Centre has taken an extraordinary measure by appointing interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. “We hope that the decision would bear fruits.”
The minister also directed the forces to exercise restraint while dealing with the protestors.
“Forces have been asked to stop human rights violation at any cost,” he said.
Chidambaram said that New Delhi had accepted the fact that political solution of Kashmir issue was imperative for lasting peace in the region.
“The Central government has already extended its invitation for dialogue to all shades of political opinion,” he said.
Earlier, clad in cream shirt, grey trouser and grey and black zip up jacket, Chidambaram, air dashed to Sighpora in north Kashmir from Kargil in Ladakh and in a three-vehicle convoy drove to Dak Bunglow at Baramulla amid tight security bandobast and reviewed the overall security situation in the three districts falling along the LoC.
According to reports, the high-level meeting discussed infiltration bid by militants across the Line of Control (LoC) and steps taken to counter it. Chidambaram also met several political and social delegations and unexpectedly went around some sensitive places in Baramulla town to take on spot assessment of the situation.
Minister for school education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Joint Secretary in Home ministry, Director General of J&K Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Inspector General J&K Police, Shiv Murari Sahai, Special Director General of CRPF, K Vijay Kumar, and General officer Commanding of 19 Infantry Division were present in the meeting.
The reports said that the Home Minister appreciated the role of police, CRPF and Army officials in maintaining law and order n the valley.
“Police and forces should do whatever it takes to maintain law and order in the state,” he said. Chidambaram, however, urged the forces to exercise utmost restraint while dealing with protestors and stop human rights violation “at any cost”.
Briefing the visiting Home Minister on the security situation in the valley, the top officials of police and CRPF assured the minister that the situation in the valley was fast limping towards normalcy.
“Various measures are being taken at appropriate junctures to ensure law and order in the valley,” they said. “Forces are exercising restraint while dealing with any untoward situation.”
In the marathon meeting which lasted for one hour, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, who was also present in the meeting, also briefed the minister on the overall law and order situation in the district.
The reports further said that the police officials urged the home minister to raise the number of police men and police stations in order to maintain peace in the valley. They also asked for more bullet proof vehicles. The minister assured the officials that the issue would be discussed with the Defence Minister and steps would be taken accordingly.
Later, the Home Minister met civilian delegations including those of Congress, National Conference (NC), Fruit Growers Association, Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee and Bar Association, Tangmarg, the reports said.
Earlier, Chidambaram took stock of pace of development works, under execution, during his extensive visit to Kargil district of Ladakh region. He was apprised of the problems being faced by the people who suffered heavily by virtue of recent floods. The union minister also reviewed the steps being taken for reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and assets.
Addressing the meeting, Chidambaram appreciated the people for maintaining peace and brotherhood among various sections of the society. He said that New Delhi was committed to support the state for balanced development of its all the three regions. He said a Task Force Committee nominated to take stock of construction of basic infrastructure in Ladakh is scheduled to visit the region shortly. The Committee would also interact with cross sections of society to gather information about the problem being faced by the people.
The minister assured of all support by New Delhi for speedy development of the region.
Minister for transport, Qamar Ali Akhoon, minister for tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Chief Executive Councillor, Kargil Hill Development Council, Kachoo Ahmad Ali Khan, MP, Ghulam Hassan Khan, MLC, Syed Ahmad Rizvi, Executive Councillors, Kargil Hill Council, were also present in the meeting.
Later, Chidambaram inspected project of Rs 40 crore Counsel Infrastructure, Rs 3.72 crore tourist facilitation centre and Rs 2.40 crore Sports Stadium in the Kargil district. He directed for preparing separate project for supply scheme for counsel secretariat.
Meanwhile, the union minister had a detailed meeting with the meeting with the chief minister in which the two leaders discussed relief and rehabilitation for cloud-burst affected people of Leh and Kargil.
Chidambaram assured the chief minister that New Delhi would provide more funds for permanent rehabilitation of affected people of both Leh and Kargil districts and would also provide necessary funds for reconstruction of public utility facilities.
Issues regarding law and order situation in the state also came up for the discussion in the meeting.
Chief secretary, SS Kapur, GOC, XV Corps, NC Marwah, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, BBVyas, Principal Secretary, Home, BR Sharma, DGP, Kuldip Khuda, Special DGP, CRPF, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon and IG,BSF were present in the meeting.
No comments:
Post a Comment