The Hindu : Centre, J&K to fight terrorism jointly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

Centre, J&K to fight terrorism jointly

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 31. The Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir Government today unanimously agreed "that the work of providing the sinews for the fight against terrorism is of both the State Government and the Centre, and that the State Government would be fully supported by the Centre in this task".

Briefing newspersons after the special meeting on security related issues in the State, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and attended among others by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, the Union Home Secretary, N. Gopalaswami, said a coordinated approach was stressed to meet the challenge of terrorism and that the Centre promised all feasible support to the State in combating terrorism.

According to the State Government officials at the meeting, there was enormous support for the PDP-Congress Government's `healing touch' policy.

There was an acceptance that the State Government had taken positive steps in dealing with the alienation of the people of Kashmir and that its policies in the regard should be continued.

The meeting, which was also attended by the External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, and the Chief of the Army Staff, decided to constitute a special group to review existing macro-strategies of the security forces and intelligence agencies in the State and to suggest appropriate strategies to be followed to counter insurgency.

The special group will submit its report in three months.

It will be headed by Ashok Bhandari, Special Secretary (Jammu and Kashmir Affairs) in the Union Home Ministry, and have representation from the State Government, the Army, Central paramilitary forces, intelligence agencies and the State police.

Steps to check infiltration, renewed terrorist activity in the State, measures to protect remote and scattered populations and minorities, as also vital installations were discussed in detail.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

SC rejects Centre's plea to lift ban on religious activities

Petition against excavation dismissed

Baghdad homes bombed

Remarks on Iraqi TV cost NBC journalist his job

Exim policy focusses on exports in services sector

Delhi HC judge resigns

Centre, J&K to fight terrorism jointly

More DA for Central staff

EC guidelines

Bandh evokes mixed response

POTA: fresh affidavit filed

SBI hikes rate