Baramulla, Oct 31: The Home Minister P Chidambaram Sunday stressed on “finding remedies” to bring the “disturbed areas” in north Kashmir under control in an effective manner. He also urged the security forces to use non-lethal weapons to tackle street protests besides ensure “zero civilian casualties” during the anti-militancy operations.
 Informed sources told Greater Kashmir that Chidambaram—during a security review meeting at Dak Banglow here—sought details about the “disturbed areas” in north Kashmir and also the civilian and police casualties that took place in its areas in the past five months. The meeting, which lasted for over 30 minutes, was chaired by the Home Minister and attended by senior police and administration officials.
 Sources said Chidambaram asked the police officials about the present law and order situation in north Kashmir areas. “He asked the Superintendent of Police level officials to furnish details about the situation in their respective areas and why extreme action had become necessary while controlling the recent street protests,” they said, referring to the civilian killings and injuries in north Kashmir in the past five months.
 Sources said police informed the Home Minister that they had suffered “heavy injuries” during the street protests. “The police officials were of the view that action against the protesters had become necessary because the protesters resorted to arson,” the sources said.
 Police, they said, also told the Home Minister that they lacked the “necessary crowd control equipment” due to which “they were suffering.”
 Sources said Chidambaram urged the security forces to use “non-lethal weapons” during crowd control. “He also asked the forces to ensure that no civilian casualties take place during the anti-millitancy operations,” he said.
 Sources said the volatile areas like Old Town and Palhallan also came up for discussed, with Home Minister asking officials why these areas remain frequently disturbed security-wise.
 Chidambaram asked the officials for a ‘remedy’ to bring north Kashmir under control.
 Pertinently, over 30 killings took place in Baramulla in the past five months and over eight in Bandipora and Kupwara districts.
 Besides the Minister for Education, Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed, the meeting was attended by DG Police, IG Kashmir, DG CRPF, GOC 19 inf. Division, DIG North Kashmir, five SSPs of the North Kashmir and the District Commissioners of North Kashmir. The divisional commissioner Kashmir and Director General of Police, Kuleep Khuda, were also present.
 The Home Minister, sources said, was informed that the eligibility for recruitment in police should be the 8th standard pass “due to which the youth would find a place in the police department.” “The Home Minister told the participants that matter is already before the Rangarajan Committee,” they said.
 Sources said apart from the security, the Home Minister took review of the functioning of the schools and administrative offices in north Kashmir.
 Different delegations which met Chidambaram include Bar Association Tangmarg, Fruit Growers Association, Baramulla, Gurdwara Prabandak Commitee, and a delegation each from National Conference and Congress.
 “The Tangmarg Bar Association asked the Home Minister to compensate the state government for the Indus Water Treaty which has inflicted heavy losses to the state. The fruit growers urged him to look in to their difficulties,” the sources said.
 The fruit growers informed Chidambaram about 16000 kanals of orchard land which is under the hold of security forces. “They urged the Home Minister to get the land vacated,” the sources said.

CHIDAMBARAM VISITS KARGIL
Home Minister P. Chidambaram Sunday took stock of the pace of development works under execution in Kargil and also the problems being faced by the people who suffered heavily by due to recent floods. He also reviewed the steps being taken for reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure.  
 An official spokesman said Chidambaram appreciated people for maintaining peace and brotherhood among various sections of the society. “The Central government is committed to support Jammu and Kashmir in the balanced development of all the three regions,” Chidambaram said.
 He said a Task Force Committee nominated to take stock of construction of basic infrastructure in Ladakh would 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,” he said, assuring central government’s support for speedy development of the region.
 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 asked the concerned officials to prepare separate project for supply scheme for counsel secretariat.
 On the occasion, Kachoo Ahmad Ali Khan demanded construction of tunnel on Zojila Pass, expansion of Kargil Airport, renovation of Kargil-Zanskar National Highway, joining Drass river with Soora river and several other facilities for the betterment of the district.
 The meeting was attended by senior government and police officials.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 1 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST