Rajnath Singh to review Jammu and Kashmir security on three-day visit

New Delhi: Union home minister Rajnath Singh will be on a three day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, starting September 9, during which he will hold a series of meetings to review the prevailing law and order situation. During his three-day visit, the home minister is also expected to visit Leh and the Jammu region.

Sources said apart from carrying out a detailed security review, Mr Singh will also meet state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and governor N.N. Vohra to review the various development projects for which funds are being sourced from the Centre. The issue of re-settlement of Kahsmiri Pandits who had fled the Valley following the start of militancy in the 1990s will also come up during the course of these meetings. 

The home minister, sources added, will also meet various delegations during his visit to the Valley though any possible dialogue with the separatists is being ruled out. “Though all factions of the society, including separatists, are welcome for a dialogue but the state position is very clear that they first have to give up the path of violence before talks can be held. Talks and violence cannot go on simultaneously,” a senior official said.

There has been a considerable improvement in the Valley’s security scenario with multiple agencies adopting a two-pronged strategy in dealing with the situation. Though on one hand, the Army and CRPF, along with the Special Operations Group, has launched a major offensive against top militants, on the other the NIA has initiated a detailed investigation into a case of terror funding where money was being routed to subversive elements, including separatist leaders, through the hawala network from Pakistan.

The NIA investigations has had a major impact on incidents of stone-pelting and other agitation like targeting schools and government offices and buildings.