Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, 27 June chaired the unified headquarters meeting of the security grid in Jammu and Kashmir and reviewed the overall security situation in the state, PTI reported officials as saying.
The Home Minister, who is on a two-day visit to the state, reviewed the overall security situation in the state with special emphasis on restoration of peace in Kashmir and counter-insurgency operations, the officials said.
State Governor Satya Pal Malik, his advisor in-charge home affairs K Vijay Kumar, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, Northern Army commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, DGP Dilbagh Singh, heads of various intelligence agencies and paramilitary forces were present at the meeting, according to the officials.
Amit Shah Meets Family of Slain SHO Arshad Khan
Earlier, the Union Home Minister had met with the family of SHO Anantnag Arshad Khan who had lost his life in a terror attack on 12 June.
Shah visited the residence of the slain Jammu and Kashmir Police officer and assured his family that the government will look after them, PTI reported.
“The home minister came and offered his condolence, and assured that the government will look after the family of the brave son of the country,” one of the family members present said.
Shah also handed over a letter of commendation, highlighting the sacrifice of the police officer, to members of the family, seen in photos shared on Shah’s Twitter handle in the hands of Arshad’s 18-month-old Daamin.
Stop Leakages in Implementation of Development Schemes: Shah
The Home Minister also directed the Jammu and Kashmir administration to tackle corruption and plug leakages in implementation of development schemes to ensure that such benefits reach impoverished sections of the society, PTI reported.
Shah reviewed development programmes in the state in a meeting and said that he would assess the performance of the state on multiple fronts periodically.
Shah asked the state government to focus on better and more efficient implementation of development schemes so that corruption and leakages are plugged and the citizens are able to get the intended benefits.
He also issued a slew of directions to the state government with a focus on socially and economically weaker sections of the society in the state.
"The state government should ensure that old age, disability and widow pensions reach all those entitled to these, in a timely manner. There should be a quick scrutiny of all eligible people who are left out and their inclusion must be ensured," Shah told the meeting, adding the Centre will ensure additional funds for these.
Hope for Better Understanding: Omar Abdullah
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he hoped Shah's visit to Jammu and Kashmir would help the Centre better understand the situation on the ground situation in the state and the need to change its approach towards it.
Warning Officials Against Complacency
On Wednesday, 26 June, Shah had warned officials against any complacency with regard to the security arrangements for the upcoming Amarnath yatra and directed them to strictly implement the standard operating procedures for the pilgrimage.
Briefing reporters after a review meeting chaired by Shah, Special Secretary for Internal Security, AP Maheshwari, said the minister directed that there should be no complacency on the part of security forces or duty staff at any point during the whole yatra period.
"There should be no laxity. Strict enforcement of the SOPs should be ensured. Senior officers should personally supervise the arrangements," he said.
“He (Shah) directed all security agencies to be fully alert and take all preventive steps to ensure a violence-free yatra,” Maheshwari added.
Malik’s advisor in-charge Home Affairs K Vijay Kumar, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, state Chief Secretary B V R Subramanyam, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, DGP Dilbagh Singh and divisional commissioners from the Valley and Jammu were also present in the meeting.
‘Continue Action Against Miscreants’
Maheshwari said Shah asked the forces to ensure optimum use of latest technologies and gadgets not only for the security of the yatra but also to facilitate the movement of the devotees and the tourists.
Besides attending to medical emergencies, preparedness must also be ensured to deal with any type of calamity or contingency, the official said, adding that specialised units and trained personnel should be in place with due focus on the prescribed drills for the purpose.
While laying emphasis on the essential facilities for those deputed on the arrangements of the yatra, Shah underscored the need for all the duty personnel to ensure proper conduct throughout, he said.
The home minister advised all the security forces and various agencies to continue taking strict action against miscreants, and reiterated the need to cover all the sensitive and vulnerable places, including possible points of infiltration all throughout the state, "in order to obviate any type of risk to the yatra".
J&K Governor Receives Shah
Breaking away from protocol, J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik, accompanied by his advisors and some top officials of the state administration, received Shah at the Srinagar airport on Wednesday.
This is Shah's maiden visit to the state after assuming office last month.
Governors in the past have normally only received the prime minister while visiting the state.
(With PTI inputs.)
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