Asif Iqbal Naik , Jammu, October 13:- Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today arrived at Jammu on 3 days State visit. During his stay in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Shinde is scheduled to hold series of meeting with top brass of Jammu and Kashmir government and will also review the security related matters. After arriving at Jammu in the morning from New Delhi, Mr. Shinde was received at the Jammu airport by Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani, Director General of Police Ashok Prasad, senior officers of paramilitary forces who presented him the guard of honor at technical airport. Mr. Shinde directly flies to Poonch in army Chopper and held a meeting with traders, beside review the security situation along the Indo-Pak border and hinterland as well as cross LOC trade. Mr. Shinde also visits the Chakan-Da-Bagh, a crucial point for travel and trade between the two sides of Line of Control.
In Poonch, Mr. Shinde reviews the progress of the cross LOC trade and also meet a delegation of traders to discuss their problems. Traders also submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister highlighting the problems faced by the traders during trade across LOC. After reviewing security and trade at Poonch, Mr. Shinde then fly to Suchetgarh Border in R S Pura belt of Jammu Division and visit the forward posts on International Border at Octerio Post guarded by the BSF Jawans.
While talking to the media persons on the side line of his visit to Suchetgard, Mr. Shinde said that he inspected the border post along LOC in Poonch as well as IB at Suchetgarh and said that the defense line at forward posts along LOC and IB are strong enough to prevent the maximum number of infiltration bids attempted by the militants from other side of the border. He said that fencing, alertness of our troops also played an important role in guarding and preventing the infiltration from across the border. He said that they have the inputs about the possible infiltration attempt and said that same will be discussed in Unified Headquarters meeting schedule to held in Srinagar tomorrow. “It is true that some infiltrations took place from LOC/IB and we will look as to how such infiltration took place and how the same could be prevented.” Mr. Shinde said. He said that our borders are safe due to courageous services render by our soldiers on borders. He said that government of India has already taken up the issue of infiltration with Pakistani counterpart on the sideline of recently held SAARC summit.
“I have raised the issue of infiltration with Pakistani Interior Minister during SAARC Summit meeting held recently in Maldives, Pakistani minister also shows his seriousness towards his concern and we are in process to look into it.” Mr. Shinde said.
In response to the question regarding reports of an attempt to review militancy in Punjab, Union Home Minister said that the incidents involving the controversy over honoring General Vaidiya assassinators and attack on General Barar are the state subject related matters. “By jumping into this bandwagon, I don’t want to create any kind of wedge between the center and state relationship.” Mr. Shinde added. He said that he had already said in Delhi that if terrorist related activities are at increase in Punjab, it is a matter of concern. “We people have already paid heavy prize for all this in terms of losing business and thousands of innocent lives and such incidents are not in favour of peace and tranquility of India when the nation is heading towards economical growth.” Mr. Shinde said.
In response to the increasing rape incident in Haryana, Union Home Minister said that he was in constant touch with Haryana government over the issue. “Yesterday I have already said in Delhi that I am in touch with state government (Haryana government). It is the matter of the state government; however this is a very serious matter particularly this has been done with a Dalit girl.” Mr. Shinde said. He also downplays the threat perception from China along Indo-China border in Ladakh and rubbishes all the reports pertaining to Chinese incursion in Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that after becoming the Home minister of the country, his first desire was to visit Jammu and Kashmir.
“Only few days ago I visited the Ladakh, where I visited up to China border— after visiting the Poyang Lake I inspected the site and found that there is no intrusion from China into our territory.” Mr. Shinde said. He said that government of India is alert over the latest development on Chinese border and said that as off now there is nothing alarming from China along Ladakh border.
He said that at Poonch, he also held a meeting with traders’ delegation at Chakan-Da-Bagh and listen to their grievances. He said that he was satisfied with the ongoing trade at LOC in Poonch and said that government is ready to help the traders to overcome with the problems faced by them.
Mr. Shinde during his visit to Jammu commonly known as city of temples also visited the historic Ragunath temple and obeisance. He offered Darshan and performed special Pujja for the peace and tranquility of the country. The temple committee honored the visiting Home Minister with Shawl and special Prashad.
Mr. Shinde before his departure to the Kashmir Valley, meet several local delegations, including one from the Congress party in the circuit house. Congress delegation comprises of Senior Vice President Dharam Pal Shrama-Ex-MP, Vice President Thakur Hari Singh, Vice Chairman OBC board Kuldip Raj Verma, President Pradesh Mahila Congress & MLA Indu Pawar, President J&K INTUC Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ex-Ministers Mula Ram, Ch. Gharu Ram and Lal Mohammad Sabir met the Union Home Minister Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde at Jammu today.
They discussed various issues pertaining to the refugees of 1947 from West Pakistan and Displaced persons of 1947, 1965 and 1971 from POK, Development of areas near LOC & International Border, Strengthening of Panchayati Raj System, Reservation for OBC people.
The delegation apprised the Union Home Minister Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde about the long pending demands and issues of refugees of 1947 from West Pakistan and displaced persons of 1947 from POK, besides 1965 & 1971 who have settled in this part of Jammu and Kashmir especially in various districts of Jammu region. In this regard they referred their recent meeting with Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi. They delegation demanded one time settlement of different categories of these refugees and displaced persons.
The delegation also discussed about the development of border areas. They demanded better road connectivity, drinking water facility, regular electric power supply and better education facilities for the people living in these areas. They demanded special recruitment drive for the educated youth of border areas in Para-Military Forces. They also demanded compensation to the farmers whose land has come under fencing on border area.
The delegation said that the OBC’s are getting 27% reservation all over the country but in Jammu and Kashmir OBC’s are getting only 2% reservation. They demanded 27% reservation for OBC’s in Jammu & Kashmir. PCC delegation demanded strengthening of Panchayati Raj System in the state under the provisions of 73rdAmendment in the Panchayati Raj Act prevailing all over country.
In the state’s summer capital Srinagar, Mr. Shinde is scheduled to chair a meeting of the unified headquarters to review cross-border infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir.