Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Nov 07 : Stating that the security situation in Jammu & Kashmir has been affected by “militant and secessionist violence,” the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Monday said that the ongoing militancy in J&K is “linked with infiltration of militants from across the LoC and as well as International Border.”
It also said that the multi-pronged approach has been adopted to plug infiltration that entails latest weaponry to forces, fencing and synergising intelligence etc.
The MHA’s Annual Report for the year 2021-22, a copy of which is with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), stated that the security situation in J&K has been affected by militant and secessionist violence. “The ongoing militancy in J&K is linked with the infiltration of militants from across LoC and international border. The militancy has been sponsored and supported from across the border, for more than three decades,” the report said, adding that in 2021, 180 militants were killed in J&K.
It said that the security situation in J&K is monitored and reviewed by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other security agencies. “The Ministry of Home Affairs also monitors the security situation closely and continuously in tandem with the UT of J&K and the Ministry of Defence,” it said.
The report reads: “The Government of India in tandem with UT of J&K, has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross border infiltration, which, inter-alia, includes strengthening of the border infrastructure, multi-tiered deployment along international Border / Line of Control, and near the ever changing infiltration routes, construction/ maintenance of border fencing, construction of culverts/ bridges on nallahs, improved technology, weapons and equipment for Security Forces (SFs), improved intelligence and operational coordination, installation of border floodlight on the international border and synergizing intelligence flow to check infiltration and pro-active action against terrorists within J&K.”
The Government has adopted various counter measures to neutralize the efforts and capabilities of militants to disturb peace in J&K, the report.
“The Government has also encouraged policies to mainstream the youth, including providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy. The endeavour of the Government has been to: Proactively take suitable measures by all the SFs to safeguard the borders from cross-border terrorism and to contain militancy,” he said. “To ensure that the democratic process is sustained and primacy of civil administration is restored to effectively tackle the socio-economic problems facing the people on account of the effects of prolonged militancy in J&K, and to ensure a sustained peace process and to provide adequate opportunities to all sections of people in J&K who eschew violence to effectively represent their view points and to redress their genuine grievances.”
The report said that the Government has approved raising of following battalions for Jammu & Kashmir police 5 IR Battalions, 2 Border Battalions, 2 Women Battalions, the recruitment had been completed for 5 IR Battalions. “The recruitment process of 2 Border Battalions and 2 Women Battalions is going on. Besides, the remuneration of Special Police Officers (SPOs) of J&K Police has been enhanced upto 18000/- per month like this: SPOs having experience less than 3 years Rs 6000/- per month, SPOs having experience more than 3 years and less than 5 years Rs 9000/- per month, SPOs having experience more than 5 years and less than 10 years – 12000/- per month, SPOs having experience more than 10 years and less than 15 years – 15000/- per month, SPOs having experience more than 15 years – 18000/- per month,” the report available on MHA’s official website reads.
It states that to support the Government of J&K in its initiatives, the Central Government has been making available Central Armed Police Forces as and when necessary, and has been helping to strengthen the J&K Police. The Ministry of Home Affairs reimburses the expenditure incurred by UT of J&K on a variety of security related measures. “These include expenditure on carriage of Constabulary, material supplies, rent of accommodation, honorarium to Special Police Officers, Civic Action Programmes, air-lift charges, raising cost of India Reserve Battalions, transport, boarding and lodging, alternate accommodation for security forces etc. During 2021-22, a sum of Rs 936.095 crore has been reimbursed to Jammu and Kashmir Government under Security Related Expenditure (Police) till 31.12.2022,” the report further adds—(KNO)
