In her maiden meeting with the top security and intelligence officers of Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that giving option of homecoming to gun-wielding local youth would be “in the fitness of things”. She said any incident of civilian killings reverses the gains achieved on the security front.
Mehbooba was chairing the Unified Command Headquarters (UHQ) meeting here, a grid set-up to coordinate anti-insurgency campaign in the embattled State. Sources said that the meeting did not discuss the issue for setting up special colony for former Indian Army soldiers in Srinagar, a proposal mooted by the Rashtriya Sainik Board. Mehbooba on Monday said that no land has been allotted for the proposed colony though she admitted that the former soldiers belonging to the State have approached the Government with the proposal.
An official spokesman said that Mufti urged the security agencies to conduct their operations while keeping the safety of people in view. This, she said, would maintain an environment of peace and tranquillity and enable the Government to implement its agenda of good governance and development in the state.
Mehbooba told the officers that humane approach must be adopted while dealing with law-and-order situations on the ground. She insisted on following special operating procedures (SoPs) during anti-insurgency campaigns. "Any incident of civilian killing reverses all the gains that have been achieved so far," she said.
Mehbooba-led PDP-BJP government came under flak last month when security forces shot dead five civilians including a woman to curb a string of protests, which began after a minor girl was allegedly molested by a soldier in north Kashmir's Handwara town. The killings triggered massive resentment in the Valley. The authorities have ordered a probe into the killings.
Mehbooba asked the security agencies to maintain restraint to avoid any civilian casualties and collateral damage. She also urged the security agencies to encourage local youth willing to give up arms. “It would be in the fitness of things to give an option of homecoming to the local youth who have picked up guns,” she said. Stressing on furthering the sense of normalcy she advocated for minimising visibility of the security forces and bunkers in the civilian areas.
Mehbooba Mufti also stressed upon reducing the footprint of security forces at various tourist places and airports so as to cause less inconvenience to the visitors.
On the smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra, the Chief Minister stressed upon involvement of local population to facilitate the visiting pilgrims. "Kashmiris have for long been an epitome of hospitality which they have proved time and again during the yatra. Our young boys should be made part of this activity," she said.
Top State and provincial level officers of police and civil administration, heads of army, Border Security Force, paramilitary CRPF and intelligence agencies briefed the chief minister over the situation prevailing in the state and along the line of Control. Sources said that DGP K Rajindra and Chief Secretary BR Sharma held a separate meeting to discuss the issues raised in the crucial UHQ meeting.