Jammu, May 22
The government is seriously examining the issue of scrapping of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan as part of the diplomatic and economic offensive Delhi has initiated to force Islamabad to stop aiding and encouraging cross-border terrorism.

An indication to this effect was given by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, to senior functionaries of the state government and political leaders who called on him during his 16-hour stay here. Mr Vajpayee flew to Srinagar this morning.

In an interaction with the editors of Jammu-based newspapers here last night, the Prime Minister said the government was examining as to how the waters of the Indus, the Chenab and the Jhelum which were covered under the treaty, could be stopped from flowing into Pakistan.

During his detailed discussion with the Governor, Mr G.C. Saxena, the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, senior functionaries of the Army, including Lt-Gen J.B.S. Yadava, Corps Commander, and civil and police officers, stress was laid on stepping up counter-insurgency operations against the militants operating within the state.

The Prime Minister agreed to the suggestion of the Chief Minister that aerial support be provided to the troops engaged in flushing out terrorists in the hilly areas.

Mr Vajpayee also agreed to strengthen the Village Defence Committees and was repeatedly reminded that sanction was required for sending additional companies of paramilitary forces to the state for taking care of the grey areas following withdrawal of troops from the depth areas of the state for deployment on the LoC and the IB.

When the BJP delegation led by Mr D.K. Kotwal met the Prime Minister here last evening, Mr Vajpayee posed a question: “What should be done to check military related violence?” The BJP members sang in a chorus: “Declare war against Pakistan.”

Mr Vajpayee heard the suggestion patiently, but did not comment. The same suggestion was given by leaders of the Congress, the BSP and other political parties.

In his meeting with 15 delegations of political leaders, border migrants, Kashmiri Pandits and leaders of commerce and industry, the Prime Minister adopted the role of a listener instead of a commentator.

The plight of border migrants and refugees from Pakistan, PoK and the Kashmir valley figured in his discussions with different political leaders. Mr Vajpayee nodded his head while accepting the Congress and the BJP demand for proper rehabilitation of these refugees.

The Congress leaders, including Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, demanded full citizenship rights for these refugees. Mr Ayub Khan, also of the Congress, told the Prime Minister that the Indus Water Treaty be scrapped forthwith. These political leaders expressed deep concern over the security situation and referred to the killing of Lone, saying that it indicated that the security scenario was grave in the state.

Mr Vajpayee evinced keen interest when one BJP leader informed him that there was need for screening a section of border villagers in the Jammu sector because some of them had been working as agents of the ISI. He assured the BJP delegation that the matter would be examined seriously.