Date:13/09/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/09/13/stories/2002091306140100.htm

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Fernandes reviews security situation in Kashmir

By Shujaat Bukhari

The Defence Minister, George Fernandes, and the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, with the family members of the slain NC leader, Mushtaq Lone, on Thursday .— Photo Nissar Ahmed.

SRINAGAR SEPT. 12. A high-level team headed by the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, today reviewed the security arrangements for the coming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir at an extraordinary meeting of Unified Headquarters (UH).

Mr. Fernandes also visited Poonch, where 14 persons, including 10 security personnel, were gunned down by militants on Wednesday.

Accompanied by the Special Secretary (Home), Ashok Bhandari, the Director-General of BSF, Ajai Raj Sharma, and the Special Director, Intelligence Bureau, K.N. Singh, Mr. Fernandes rushed to Srinagar late on Wednesday night and immediately took stock of the situation in the backdrop of the series of attacks on political leaders, including the killing of the Jammu and Kashmir Law Minister, Mushtaq Lone.

He chaired a meeting of the UH this morning which was attended by the J and K Governor, G.C. Saxena, the Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, and senior officers, besides the Corps Commander, Lt.Gen. V.G. Patankar.

The meeting discussed the "volatile situation" in the State, which saw a spurt in the killings in the last 48 hours.

Measures to check the incidents and make foolproof security arrangements for the contesting candidates were also discussed. The top brass of security gave a detailed account of the militant presence in the Kashmir Valley and of the threat perception, which had increased since the elections were announced on August 2.

Sources said a decision to increase the security quantum of all the candidates was taken and relocation of troops ordered. From today all the contesting candidates would be provided with bullet-proof vests and helmets during their public meetings.

Since the State was short of bullet-proof vehicles, the matter was also discussed.

Later, Mr. Fernandes and his team visited Poonch and extended their sympathies to the bereaved families. The Minister also discussed the security situation with senior State officials.