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HM concludes 4-day visit to J&K
KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/13/2017 4:13:52 PM
`Expert group to study border residents, migrants’ problems’
JAMMU, Sep 12: The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday flew back to New Delhi from the winter capital of the state after concluding his four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
He was accompanied by the Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and senior officers of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The Union Home Minister had reached Jammu yesterday on the third and last leg of his tour after spending two days in Srinagar. However, this time his itinerary excluded Ladakh region where he would be visiting soon separately.
His Jammu tour included his visit to the border area of Nowshera in Rajouri district, where he met the border migrants affected by cross-border firing and putting up in the relief camps. He also interacted with BSF and the army personnel there.
In Jammu, his itinerary included interactions with around 39 delegations besides the delegations of mainstream political parties including BJP in two days. He wound up his four-day visit with a presser before flying back to the union capital.
While briefing the media at the outset of the press conference he stated that the unrelenting ceasefire violations by Pakistan clearly indicated that it (Pakistan) was not interested in holding talks to improve relations with India. “Since 2014, Pakistan has resorted to over 400 ceasefire violations every year. They (Pakistan) will have to end it as the retaliation by our army and BSF troops is very strong. Given this strong response, Pakistan will be compelled to stop ceasefire violation today or tomorrow,” Rajnath said.
Describing the border migrants as “strategic assets” of the country, the Union Home Minister said that the country and its citizens are very proud of the border dwellers and their unflinching feel of patriotism despite their manifold sufferings.
“If there is any biggest strategic asset of India, it is the Indian citizens living along the borders of the country. It is the biggest strategic asset of India. If we get strategic successes, it is because of their unforgettable contribution,” he said.
Rajnath announced that the Centre would constitute an expert group to study the problems and challenges of the people living along the border.
“This expert or study group will examine their (border residents’) problems and also devise ways as how to use the Border Development Programme fund in the best possible way to improve their conditions. It will give its opinion and we will act on that,” he said.
The minister said 60 bunkers were built as per the decision taken by the Centre and the construction of more bunkers was underway.
Prior to this on the second day of his stay in Jammu, the Union Home Minister also met deputations of major political parties including National Conference, Congress, PDP, BJP and independent MLAs.
25-member NC delegation led by its provincial president Devender Rana batted for regional autonomy to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh as a way forward to satiate aspirations of the people in three distinct regions of the state and defeat designs of the forces, who wanted trifurcation.
NC pledged to support every move, aimed at bringing peace in the state, provided these take care of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and unique identity of its people. He expressed satisfaction over assurance of the Union Home Minister on Article 35A. On the issue of Rohingyas, the NC reiterated its stand saying, “The Centre can take a call on this issue under Foreign Nationals Act and the UN Charter.” The party also stated that in tackling issues with Pakistan, the spirit exhibited in case of Dokalam standoff with China should be emulated.
The Congress delegations expressed deep concern over the overall security scenario and political atmosphere of uncertainty, confusion and contradictions on various sensitive and contentious issues especially due to divergent and contradictory statements and stands of two ruling parties.
It suggested devolution and decentralization of powers and evolving a constitutional mechanism to fully guarantee equitable share and treatment to three regions.
The delegations of various political, social, business, travel and trade organizations from across Jammu which called on Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh yesterday included Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Chamber of Traders Federation, delegation of Jammu Hotels and Lodges, Tourism Federation of Jammu, Amarnathji Yatra Welfare Society, Taxi Tour and Travels, Jammu Bar Association, delegation of Kashmiri Migrants, Panun Kashmir, Doda and Talwara Reasi migrants, various delegations of PoJK refugees, Civil Society Forum, All Migrant Camps Coordination Committee, Sikh Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee, Rashtriya Gurjar Manch, Jammu Muslim Front, Jammu Shia Federation, Anjuman-e-Imamia, J&K Christian Dalit Society, All J&K Border United Front, Dogra Brahman Pratinidi Sabha and Rajput Sabha, Jammu Province People’s Forum, Jammu-West Assembly Movement, All J&K Gujjar-Bhakerwal Conference, Safai Karamcharis Union of Municipal Corporation Jammu, Raghunath Bazaar Traders Association, All Civil Society Forum and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
The delegations apprised the Home Minister about various issues and submitted written memorandums. MoS, PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh, Union Home Secretary, Rajiv Gauba, Additional Secretary, Home, B R Sharma were also present.
The Union Home Minister had arrived in Srinagar on September 9, 2017 on a 4-day visit to the state. During his visit, he met the Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also.
He also reviewed the status of implementation of the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP) for Jammu and Kashmir with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Chief Secretary of J&K, BB Vyas and senior officers of the MHA and state government. He also chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar on the law and order and security situation in the state.