No scope for lowering the guard in J&K

The Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram has said that the Army has ordered an investigation into the Bomai incident and assured that appropriate action will be taken once the report becomes available even as the Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah said that there was no difference of opinion between the State Government and the Army.

The Home Minister and the Chief Minister said this while addressing a joint press conference immediately after the end of the Unified Headquarters meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, here today.

The Home Minister said there is an excellent rapport between the army, paramilitary forces, police and the civil administration which will work together to safeguard the interests of Jammu and Kashmir State. He said the situation in J&K has considerably improved in the last two years and the level of violence has also gone down, adding the security forces are better equipped and positioned to control violence, which has shown remarkable drop in the State.

On being asked to comment on the Bomai incident, the Home Minister said the civil administration has completed its probe and the Army has ordered an investigation, adding that the report will be available shortly. “The Defence Minister told me this morning that the Army has ordered an investigation into the incident. Be sure, the Defence Minister, myself and the Chief Minister will look into both the reports and take appropriate action.” 

In reply to a question, the Home Minister said that there is excellent relationship between the new Governor and the young and dynamic Chief Minister which will safeguard the interests of Jammu and Kashmir.         

Stating that the security forces have gained upper hand in the State in curbing militancy, Mr. Chidambaram asked them to remain on high alert in light of the coming Parliamentary elections and the turmoil in Pakistan. ‘The situation in Pakistan is giving us no comfort at all. We don’t know who is in control there. Prudence requires we remain on high alert, especially between April 13 and May 7 when the elections will be conducted in J&K,” the Home Minister advised, adding that all the candidates contesting elections as well as political leaders will be adequately protected.

The Home Minister also said that no additional troops are required to be deployed in the State during the ensuing Parliamentary elections in the State.    

Stating that the State Police would be at its full strength by 2010, Mr. P. Chidambaram said the issue of strengthening the State Police vis-à-vis weaponry, vehicles and housing would be addressed by the Central Government in consultation with the State Government as expeditiously as possible. “J&K Police has sanctioned strength of 79,275 including the five battalions raised recently. There are 6,000 vacancies which will be filled this calendar year,” he said, adding that steps would be initiated for identifying a secure communication network to connect 174 police stations in the State with State Police headquarters.

The Home Minister said the issue of revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was an old demand which has been flagged by the Chief Minister, Mr Omar Abdullah. He said the issue will be discussed appropriately after the Lok Sabha elections are conducted.

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, Mr. 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.

Mr. Chidambaram underscored the need for constantly reviewing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 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.

Chief Minister said the Unified Headquarters meeting has a long experience of functional command and we have to utilize this channel to address the grievances of people and take care of security situation in the State. He said that the Unified Headquarters facilitates formal and informal linkages between the civil administration, army and paramilitary forces.   

Mr. Abdullah also said that there was no difference of opinion between the State Government and the Army while discussing various issues pertaining to the security of the State.   

CM said the issues of manpower, technical improvement and other matters pertaining to the strengthening of Jammu and Kashmir Police were also discussed in the Unified Headquarters meeting. “We have identified short-term and medium-term measures to address all concerns”, Mr. Abdullah said. 

CM added that the smooth conduct of ensuing Lok Sabha polls will be a challenge and assured that these would be free, fair and transparent.