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Kashmir : BSF to be redeployed |
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Reports say that the Home Ministry is contemplating the redeployment of the Border Security Force in the Kashmir Valley. The BSF was to be replaced by the Central Reserve Police Force in the Valley, but its pull out was stopped earlier last year following a spate of attacks on the CRPF. Till then, eight BSF battalions had already been withdrawn. The Government now wants these battalions to be deployed again. Home Ministry sources admit that the decision to replace BSF by CRPF was a mistake as the latter was not properly equipped and became sitting ducks for the militants.
Ministry sources said that for the first time in 15 years of militancy, the number of militants in the Valley had dropped to less than 2000, half of their normal presence. This is one major reason why the number of violent incidents came down considerably last year. Also, the security forces, especially the BSF and the Army have been able to eliminate top leaders of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Tayyeba and Hizbul Mujaheddin terrorist groups. Infiltration from across the line of control has also come down. The biggest drop is in the number of foreign mercenaries who used to cross the border and strike in the valley. These militants were primarily from Afghanistan and Sudan, apart from Pakistan.
Chief Minister’s relative arrested for militant links
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a close relative of the State Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayyed for unlawful and anti-national activities. Sarwar Mufti was arrested by the Police from his house in Bijbehara after a warrant issued by the District Magistrate. The District Superintendent of Police said that Sarwar had allegedly strong links with militants and had been taking part in unlawful activities. Sarwar has been booked under the law relating to action against those who harbour militants and their supporters. The Police said Sarwar had provided shelter to a notorious militant, Fayaz Talaq, of the Hizbul Mujahiddin. Sources close to the Chief Minister said he had not intervened in the matter and had asked the police to act according to the law.
Kashmiri Pandits for a separate homeland
Representatives of Kashmiri Pandits, at a conference in New Delhi, have reiterated their demand for a separate homeland in Kashmir. They wanted it to be given the status of a Union Territory. The conference also cautioned the Government against any settlement with Pakistan involving dilution of Indian sovereignty in Jammu and Kashmir.
The conference demanded that Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to migrate from the Valley in and after 1990 be given the status of refugees.
Split in the Jammu unit of the BJP
In a setback to the BJP, twenty-one leaders of its Jammu unit decided to quit the party and revive the Prajya Parishad. The outfit will be led by Chander Mohan Sharma who was vice president of the state unit of the BJP. The decision to revive the Prajya Parishad, which had merged with the Jan Sangh in 1965, was taken at a meeting in Jammu on December 26. Leaders of the outfit said they will function as an independent and secular organisation.
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