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| Home Minister wants J&K to remain ‘very alert’ | | No discussion on AFSPA revocation at this stage, PC makes clear | | Early Times Report
Jammu, March 18: Fearing anything between now and May 16, when Lok Sabha votes are counted, the Union Home Minister P Chidrambram today advised the government and security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir to remain on very high alert in view of internal disturbance in Pakistan.
"Things have indeed improved in Jammu and Kashmir and level of violence has indeed come down", the Home Minister told a crowded press conference at the Chief Minister’s residence here this evening after daylong deliberations with political leadership and security top brass. He, however, cautioned the security forces to remain on "very high alert as between now and May 16 (the day of vote counting), we can expect anything happening".
Significantly, the Home Minister made it clear that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act can neither be revoked nor reviewed at this stage. It may be mentioned here that the main Opposition, Peoples Democratic Party has been strongly advocating cut in powers of armed forces and even the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too had indicated similar intentions.
Commenting on demand of revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir, Chidambaram said that it was not something new that had come up. "The act has been reviewed from time to time. It will again be reviewed at an appropriate time and that will be after the Lok Sabha polls."
He underlined the need to keep extra vigil in view of disturbances in Pakistan. "In fact, turmoil in Pakistan is adding to our concerns and therefore I have advised the Unified Command that they remain very high alert." The Unified Command is the highest security body with state chief minister as its chairman coordinating operations of different security wings.
"There is no specific threat but prudence requires to keep high alert especially when your neighbour across the border is going through difficult period," Chidambaram said.
Earlier in the day the Unified Headquarters which met here today with the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in the Chair and Chidambaram participating, thoroughly reviewed the security situation in Jammu & Kashmir in the run up to the Parliamentary elections.
The meeting was attended by senior Army, Paramilitary, Police and intelligence officers including Director Generals of BSF and CRPF, Special Secretary Home, Government of India, Special Director IB, Financial Commissioner, Home, J&K Government, DGP, J&K, GoCs, 15, 16 and 9 Corps, DGP, CID, J&K, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Joint Secretary, Home (Kashmir), Government of India, Commissioner, SB and Divisional Commissioners, Kashmir and Jammu.
The Chief Minister and the Union Home Minister received a detailed briefing about the overall security situation and the arrangements for the upcoming parliamentary polls from various agencies.
Addressing the meeting, Chidambaram said that the work of the Unified Headquarters in J&K has been exemplary. He said there is complete synergy among army, paramilitary forces and the police. He described Jammu & Kashmir as the most difficult theatre in the country adding that the security forces had gained upper hand over the militants and sooner than later the militancy would be wiped out from the state. However, he said in the long run it must be our common purpose that internal security responsibilities are taken up by the state police. He said that the people of Jammu & Kashmir should have the feeling that their security is the responsibility of the police and cited the instance of Punjab where the similar process was adopted with the easing of the situation.
Chidambaram underscored the need for constantly reviewing the standard operating procedures saying that the common purpose was to neutralise militants. He said it has to be ensured that no innocent life is lost while dealing with militancy. He said if that happens it would be an irreparable damage. He, however, made it clear that the guard should not be lowered and constant preparedness and vigil has to be maintained to eliminate chances of violence.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that the primary task at the hands of the government this time is the successful conduct of the parliamentary elections. He said the success of this process will be gauged by the amount of freedom the people will have to exercise their franchise rather than the actual turnout. He said whatever political initiatives are to be taken after the polls should be based on thought process. He said zero tolerance on human rights violations has to be ensured and emphasised on building credibility of institutions.
The Chief Minister also dwelled on the need for vacation of private land and buildings by the security forces and called for rationalization of space as per availability of manpower of different security forces. He said there was need to speed up implementation of recommendations of the Working Groups. He said that steps need to be taken for purposeful take off of the cross LoC trade and stressed on the need for a plan for the return of the youth through normal route from across the LoC who want to return to a peaceful life. He said that even as situation in the State has vastly improved but there is no scope for lowering the guard or sitting over our laurels.
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