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Kashmir : No Ramzan ceasefire |
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There is going to be no Ramzan ceasefire in Jammu and Kash¬mir. The core group consisting of the Army, paramilitary forces, state police and intelligence agencies at its meeting in Jammu on Sept. 12 decided to continue to target terrorist leaders to maintain the upper hand of the security forces. The PDP, a constituent of the ruling coalition in the state, and some other parties, had demanded a ceasefire by the security forces during the month of Ramzan. The core group meeting was presided over by GoC of the White Knight Corps Lt. General T.K. Sapru. State Director General of Police Kuldip Khoda was among those who attended the meeting.
Lt. Gen. Sapru emphasised that concerted efforts must con¬tinue to target terrorist leaders to ensure that terrorists are left totally rudderless and bereft of guidance and direction. He said there is a need to closely monitor the latest develop¬ments in the neighbourhood.
The participants expressed satisfaction at the neutraliza¬tion of some of the top terrorist leaders in the recent past and attributed the downward slide in militancy to synergy and joint¬manship amongst the entire security set up in the state.
Highlighting the fact that infiltration has been checked in the Jammu region, Lt. Gen. Sapru said that there was a need to maintain moral ascendancy over the terrorists who have by and large, been marginalised.
Al Qaeda outsourcing terror in J & K
General Officer-Commanding in Chief, Northern Command, Lt. Gen. H.S. Panag has said that Al Qaeda was outsourcing militancy to terror outfits including the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Addressing newspersons at the Command HQ in Udhampur on Sept. 15, he said although no hardcore ultra of the Al Qaeda has been found in the valley, its presence in the area could not be ruled out.
Kashmiri pandits demand separate homeland
Panun Kashmir, an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits, has again demanded a homeland within the Kashmir Valley for the Pandit community and the status of a Union Territory for the homeland. A resolution to this effect was adopted at the annual convention of the organisation in Jammu on Sept. 14. The conven¬tion also demanded the constitution of a special tribunal to address the issue of forcible occupation of Kashmir Pandits’ properties and their shrines in the Valley.
Sonia Gandhi calls for healing touch
Congress president Sonia Gandhi during her visit to Srinagar last week said that it is the government’s responsibility to nurse the wounds of the people who suffered from terror attacks and bring back peace. Addressing a massive congregation of women at a function held on the banks of the Dal Lake, she said on Sept. 10 that the Centre and the State Government have taken several steps in this direction. But more needs to be done.
Sonia Gandhi said Kashmiri women have emerged as a source of inspiration and courage for the rest of the county. She said she was proud to be among the women of Kashmir who have faced every challenge and emerged as a symbol of resistance against terror.
Talking about the security scenario in the state, Sonia Gandhi said the situation has improved. The confidence building measures taken by the UPA government have facilitated people-to-people contact among people living on both sides of the line of control.
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announced that a battalion of women police would soon be raised in the state.
Expert panel suggests troop relocation
While the government has ruled out any large scale troop reduction in Jammu and Kashmir at this stage, an expert panel headed by Defence Secretary Vijay Singh has recommended reloca¬tion and reconfiguration of forces in the terrorism-hit state. The objective is to make the armed forces less obtrusive and ease the lives of civilians. The panel submitted its report to Na¬tional Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan, according to sources.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had set up the expert panel as well as two high-powered committees to examine the situation after persistent demands from the PDP for a troop cut in the state.
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