Rajnath reviews Ramazan Ceasefire; directs for stepping up vigil along IB

TNN Bureau. Updated: 5/25/2018 10:34:03 AM Front Page

Stone pelting incidents in Valley down by 58% in last week

JAMMU: A day into the second week of the holy month of Ramazan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the suspension of counter-insurgency operations announced on May 16, and expressed satisfaction over the relatively calm atmosphere prevailing in the valley, accentuated by the decline by more than half in the stone-pelting incidents in past week.

Singh also ordered stepped up vigil along the international borders, amidst heightened tensions with Pakistan on the western frontier.

During the hour-long meeting attended by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Special Secretary (Border Management) B R Sharma-former top bureaucrat of J&K, besides other top security officials in New Delhi, the home minister was briefed about the law and order situation in the state, where incidents of stone pelting have come down significantly ever since the suspension of operations by security forces was announced.

Singh was told that people in Jammu and Kashmir have responded positively to the central government's decision and it may pave the way for enduring peace in the restive Kashmir Valley, a Home Ministry official said.

The home minister has expressed satisfaction over the ground report of relative calm in the state, the official said, adding there was a possibility that the measure may be extended if the incidents of violence came down.

The Home Ministry announced on May 16 that security forces would not launch any operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan.

Earlier, the home minister directed all officials concerned to maintain constant vigil and security on the International Border with Pakistan, and other countries as well.

At least 12 people were killed and 60 others injured during nine days of intense shelling by Pakistani troops along the Indo-Pakistan border in state till yesterday.

With regard to the Indo-Pakistan border, the home minister expressed satisfaction that 97 per cent of the sanctioned border fencing work has been completed.

Singh also reviewed implementation of pilot projects on Comprehensive Integrated Border Management Systems (CIBMS) on non- physical barriers.

He also stressed on utilising space technology for strengthening border guarding and policing.
Meanwhile, stone-pelting incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have come down since the Centre announced suspension of operations.

According to available data, there were just 16 incidents of stone pelting in Kashmir Valley between May 16 and May 23 in comparison to 38 such cases in the May 8-15 period.

The stone pelting incidents from May 16 to 23 were reported in Srinagar (7), Anantnag (3), Budgam (2), Shopian (2), Bandipore (1) and Baramulla (1).

The 38 cases of stone pelting from May 8 to 15 were in Srinagar (13), Shopian (8), Pulwama (6), Kupwara (4), Anantnag (2), Bandipore (2), Budgam (2), and Ganderbal (1).

Jammu and Kashmir police chief S P Vaid has also said that the "Ramzan ceasefire" has been successful thus far.

"The initiative of Hon'ble PM has helped in general improvement in law & order. The situation especially in south Kashmir has eased & is serving as confidence Building Measure for families who want their boys to return back home (sic)," the state's director general of police said on Twitter.

The Ceasefire decision had been taken to help peace-loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment. The security forces, however, reserved the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people.


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