Srinagar, Oct 13: Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Saturday stressed on the need to strengthen the fencing on the Line of Control (LoC) to ensure zero infiltration and asked the Jammu and Kashmir Government to give sense of security to Panchayat representatives, and Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) living in the Valley.
Shinde, who arrived here Friday evening, chaired a meeting of Unified Headquarters (UHQ) at SKICC here this morning. “Union Home Minister expressed satisfaction over declining trend in infiltration,” a senior Army official, who was part of meeting, told Greater Kashmir. “He (Shinde) sought suggestions from different security agencies to strengthen the fencing at LoC, so that there is zero infiltration from the other side,” he added.
Shinde, according to the sources, lauded security forces for dealing with internal and external threats in JK and assured them of the Centre’s full support in maintaining peace in the state.
Shinde, sources said, appreciated the way Army, Police, CRPF and BSF had dealt with law and order problems, militancy within the state and infiltration bids from across the LoC.
They said the Home Minister, however, asked the security grid to remain alert ahead of the winter as there might be attempts from across the LoC to push in militants into the Valley.
Shinde, they said, was briefed about the various measures taken to check infiltration and on the counter-insurgency operations in the hinterland. Sources said that issue of recent killing of Panchayats representatives and their subsequent security was also discussed threadbare during the meeting. “He (Shinde) asked the state Government to take more solid measures, so that Panchayats representatives feel safe,” a top police officer said. “We briefed him about the steps taken for safety of Panchayats representatives.”
Shinde, the officer said, asked the all security agencies including the Army to share the inputs. “Night domination factor was appreciated by Shinde, but at the same time he stressed on the need for more synergy between the forces,” the officer added.
“The security to KPs living in the Valley and their rehabilitation in Jagti area of Jammu was also discussed during the UHQ meet. The State Government was asked to do more for the security of KPs living in the Valley,” the officer said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani, Director General Police Ashok Prasad, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen KT Parnaik, GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen Om Prakash, senior Police and Army officers, heads of  intelligence agencies in the state and representatives of the paramilitary forces attended the meeting.
Talking to reporters later Shinde said he had asked the state government to take necessary steps for providing security to the Panchs and Sarpanchs. He did not elaborate on these and said it is the domain of the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
“The state government will look into that. The Chief Minister has already taken a lead and assured that the security will be provided to them,” Shinde said.
Home Minister was also scheduled to visit a forward post of Border Security Force (BSF) 113 Battalion in Gurez in north Kashmir however the trip was cancelled due to inclement weather conditions.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 13 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 13 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 14 Oct 2012 00:00:00 IST