Rajnath looks for possible K-strategy

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 24

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today chaired a high-level security review meeting, where a ground report on the prevailing situation in Kashmir valley prepared by the Special Secretary Internal Security (SSIS) was discussed. He directed the agencies to take all measures required for controlling the situation from further drift.

All top security brass, including National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Chief Rajiv Jain, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and SSIS Rina Mitra were present in the meeting. The Home Minister was given a detailed presentation on the latest ground situation in the state in the wake of violence since the April 9 bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, official sources said.

The SSIS gave the presentation, which she prepared after visiting the Valley along with CRPF ADG Sudeep Lakhtakia, who is currently the acting chief of the force, and Joint Secretary (Kashmir) Gyanesh Kumar, sources said.

As the presentation raised alarm over the “prevailing precarious situation”, the Home Minister asked the senior officials to look for a “possible strategy” to deal with the challenges, particularly arising out of the increasing incidents of stone throwing on the security personnel, sources said, adding that the issue of increased infiltration bids from across the border also came up for discussion.

The Home Minister directed the officials to ensure intensified vigil along the International Border and the Line of Control to foil attempts by the militants to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir during the summer, the sources added.

No rift in pact with PDP: Ram Madhav 

Amid speculation about “relations” between the BJP and its Jammu and Kashmir ally PDP, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Monday asserted there was no rift between the two NDA partners in the state. Rather, he blamed “lack of communication” for reported differences between the two allies in the recent MLC polls. “There is no rift. There is some issue with regard to the MLC elections... those things will be addressed,” he said. 

J&K CM frustrated with Centre: Cong 

• The Congress on Monday said J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s reference to ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in respect of the Valley was a “critique of the BJP-led Central Government”. She said Kashmir was where Vajpayee had left it
• “The CM chose to critique the Kashmir policy of the government using ex-PM Vajpayee as a reference point. The frustration in her remarks got underscored by the crutch she used to criticise the lack of govt’s vision in Kashmir,” Congress’  Manish Tewari said