Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday lauded security forces for handling the crisis situation in Kashmir and traveled to south Kashmir's Anantnag district, the region of Kashmir worst-hit by the long winding conflict in the State.
The Centre has allocated funds for the purchase of bulletproof vehicles for Jammu & Kashmir Police personnel, the Home Minister said during his interaction with cops.
His announcement comes in the wake of the killing of six police personnel, including SHO Feroz Ahmad, in Achabal area of Anantnag district on June 16. The slain SHO had requisitioned a bulletproof vehicle in view of the danger posed by militants in south Kashmir, but was not provided one.
Singh said that he was also working towards enhancing the monetary benefits to Rs 1 crore for families of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel killed in the line of duty.
Meanwhile, amid a shutdown called by separatist groups against the Home Minister’s visit, a number of delegations including representatives of pro-India political parties called upon the Minister.
The delegations apprised him of the prevailing political, security and economic scenario in the State and put forth their suggestions, recommendations and road map for the way forward.
Officials said the delegation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by senior vice-president Sartaj Madni, the Opposition National Conference's (NC) delegation led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation headed by State president and legislator Sat Sharma, held detailed discussions with Singh and Home Ministry officials.
Earlier, Singh visited police and paramilitary camps in south Kashmir's Anantnag District. He interacted with the police and CRPF personnel and had an informal personal interface with the jawans.
He said the nation was indebted to the supreme sacrifices of security forces and no amount of money could compensate for these sacrifices.
He said, “We will again make J&K into a "heaven on earth" and no force can stop the country from achieving this goal.”
Reiterating the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he assured that the Centre woud provide all assistance to the State, including resolving the Housing problem of the jawans.
The Union Home Minister said, "It is my aim to provide at least Rs. 1 crore to the families of our martyrs from the Central Armed Police Forces." He said the Government launched the "Bharat ke Veer" portal to support the families of martyrs and the nation as a whole has given tremendous support to their cause.
Appreciating the role of Jammu & Kashmir Police, Singh said the police personnel were a brave and proud force working in extremely challenging circumstances in Kashmir. He described the sacrifices of J&K police as supreme.
Singh said the Government was making all out efforts for the security and welfare of the police and paramilitary personnel. He said a trauma centre has been sanctioned and the Centre has also released adequate funds for procurement of bulletproof vehicles, vests and latest equipments for police stations.
The Home Minister also remembered ASI Abdul Rasheed and Constable Imtiyaz on the occasion saying their supreme sacrifices were made for Kashmir.
The Union Home Minister later also addressed a Sainik Sammelan at the CRPF 90 Battalion Camp in Anantnag. He commended the unassailable and unmatched courage of the CRPF. He complimented paramilitary personnel for their hard work, dedication and sacrifices.
Assuring that the Centre was ready to extend more facilities to the CRPF personnel, Rajnath Singh said the Government will consider providing helicopter services to the CRPF personnel in J&K.
On the first day of his four-day visit on Saturday, Singh held a series of meetings with State Government functionaries and various delegations besides discussing political, security and developmental issues with the State Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
He also reviewed the over Rs 80,000 crore Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP) for J&K during a high-level meeting.
This is the Union Home Minister's fifth visit to the State since July last year. Prior to arrival in Kashmir, Singh had said that he was visiting Kashmir with an open mind and willing to interact with anyone who wanted to help in resolving the problems facing Kashmir.
Singh will address a Press conference at Hari Niwas guest house on Monday.
While the ruling PDP demanded initiation of political process in Kashmir to involved all stakeholders in a dialogue process, the Opposition NC raised concerns over the threats posed to the special status of J&K. "Omar Abdullah registered the party's concern and disappointment over the Central Government's ambiguity in defending the State's special status in the Supreme Court with respect to Article 35A," an NC spokesman said after the meeting.
Omar also highlighted the "worsened and constantly-deteriorating situation" in the Valley, and sought a sustained and open-ended political engagement with stakeholders in Kashmir irrespective of their ideology.
The delegation urged New Delhi and Islamabad to make sincere and sustained efforts towards resumption of a comprehensive dialogue on all outstanding issues including that of Kashmir, the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, normal life remained largely affected due to the shutdown called by the separatists against the visit of the Union Home Minister as the authorities continued imposition of restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC under the jurisdiction of Police Stations Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar, Safakadal in old city and uptown Maisuma in district Srinagar on the second consecutive day as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident.
The Joint Separatist leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik on Thursday had called for a complete shutdown on Sunday, against Singh's visit to Kashmir.
Geelani and Mirwaiz Farooq were placed under house arrest while Yasin Malik has been lodged in the city's Central Jail.
Railway authorities also suspended train services between north Kashmir's Baramulla and Jammu's Banihal towns.