Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called a meeting in New Delhi to assess the progress of development projects and the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. The meeting, scheduled for January 2.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary AK Bhalla, top MHA officials dealing with Jammu and Kashmir, heads of paramilitary forces and Intelligence agencies, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Home RK Goyal, Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain and Additional DGP Law & Order Vijay Kumar are expected to attend the meeting among others.
Officials told that there could be two sessions—-one pertaining to development works and another likely to be devoted specifically to law and order situation, mainly in Rajouri and Poonch districts where 19 soldiers were martyred in four incidents this year. However, nearly 30 terrorists have also been eliminated by security forces, both on the Line of Control (LoC) as well as hinterland.
This will be first major review of development works and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir by the Union Home Minister in 2024 which could well set the agenda for development and anti-militancy operations for the year.
“While security situation of entire Jammu and Kashmir will be under review at the meeting, the surge in terror attacks this year in Rajouri and Poonch districts and steps required to eliminate 30-odd terrorists who could be hiding in Pir Panjal mountains, forests and other vulnerable areas, will figure prominently at the meeting,” the officials said.
There have been reports that security forces could jointly undertake massive operations to neutralize the terrorists. Already, many such operations are on and they are likely to be intensified as more troops have already reached Rajouri and Poonch.
Following December 21 terror attack at Dera Ki Gali in Surankote area of Poonch district in which four soldiers were martyred and three civilians died the next day mysteriously, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Rajouri on December 27 and discussed the situation with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and top Army Commanders.
As per the officials, ongoing development works in Jammu and Kashmir including those under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) etc will also come up for review at the Home Minister’s meeting.
“A number of developmental works are under execution in Jammu and Kashmir post August 2019 which include the projects undertaken in hands by the Union Territory Government besides the Centrally funded. All these will come up for review,” the officials said, adding that the projects are now meeting timelines set for their completion.
Only yesterday, the Lieutenant Governor had stated that Kashmir will be connected by rail with rest of the world by early next year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday flagged off Vande Bharat train virtually from Ayodhya on Delhi-Katra route, which is second such train on this track. Third Vande Bharat will move on Jammu-Srinagar-Baramulla route after the Valley rail link is completed.(Daily Excelsior)
