Srinagar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday impressed upon security forces in Jammu and Kashmir to show zero-tolerance towards militancy and take strict action against “terror funding in the state” while as Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has been given a free hand to investigate rampant corruption in J&K.
Shah, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, gave these directions during a security review meeting with top officials from the state government and the Centre. Governor Satya Pal Malik was also present in the meeting.
According to KNO, while addressing media men here, special secretary internal security (MHA) A P Maheswari said that the Home Minister stated that there should be zero tolerance towards militancy and that strict action must be taken against terror funding in the State. Pertinently, over a dozen separatist leaders have been languishing in New Delhi’s Central Jail over their alleged involvement in the terror funding.
The prominent among them are Shabir Shah, Advocate Shahidul Islam, Ayaz Akbar, female separatist leaders Asiya Andrabi, her two aides, Fehmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen besides a prominent business man Zahoor Watali. The son of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahudin, Shahid Yousuf is also lodged in Tihar jail while as JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik has been lodged Tihar as well after NIA got his custody.
Maheswari said that the security agencies gave a detailed briefing on the security scenario in the State, the results of last one year’s efforts of containing militancy and their future plans. “While the improvements in the security scenario were noted and appreciated and noted, there was a detailed discussion on what further improvements could be made for restoring peace and normalcy in the State,” he said, as per the KNO correspondent present in the presser.
According to the J&K Chief Secretary B V R Sumbramanyam, who also addressed the media persons, the Home Minister stated that state government should take steps to ensure that the newly created ACB focuses on cases of rampant corruption by the “High and Mighty.”
“He (home minister) praised efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir Police in countering terrorism and militancy, and directed that the state government should commemorate the martyrdom of its policemen in their hometowns and villages in an appropriate manner each year,” he said. “Prominent public places should also be named after martyred policemen,” Shah said in the meeting. The home minister also reviewed the preparations for Amarnath Yatra, which will start from July 1.
“The review focused on the preparations made so far by security forces in this regard, the improvements made in the arrangements as compared to the previous years and any further requirements of security forces. The review also examined the administrative and other arrangements made for ensuring smooth conduct of the yatra,” the state chief secretary said.
Shah stressed that there should be no laxity in the enforcement of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and senior officials should personally supervise the arrangements for the yatra at all levels, he said.
“Forces should ensure best possible optimum use of latest technologies and the gadgets not only for the security of the yatra but also to facilitate the movement of the devotees and the tourists,” Subrahmanyam said, quoting the home minister. Shah specifically drew attention of the forces towards anti-sabotage as well as anti-subversion drills and the access control procedures.
The Union home minister reassured his commitment towards best possible arrangements during the yatra. During the meeting, the agencies gave a detailed briefing on the security scenario in the state, the results of the last one years’ efforts in containing militancy and their future plans, the chief secretary said.