CM wants Army footprint in J&K civilian areas cut

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday asked the Army to maintain greater vigil along the borders to prevent infiltration so that peace and tranquility in the hinterland is not threatened. She also called for further reducing the footprint of the army in civilian areas and places frequented by tourists.

Ms Mufti was interacting with Army Chief Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag, who called on her here to discuss important matters relating to internal and external security management in Jammu and Kashmir and the general geo-political situation in the region.

She called for minimising the visibility of troops in civilian areas and tourist places in the state, an official spokesman said. She said the troops should ensure that no civilian is harmed and there is minimum damage to civilian property during encounters with militants. “While the army is competent enough to deal with the situation along the borders, for internal security, police and paramilitary forces should shoulder the greater responsibility,” the CM was quoted as having told the Army Chief.

Gen. Suhag, who is on a visit to the Valley, was accompanied by GOC-in-Chief Northern Command, Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, GOC of Srinagar-based 15 (Chinar) Corps, Lt. Gen. Satish Dua, and other senior commanders. They briefed the CM on the overall security scenario and the steps being taken by the Army to maintain peace in the state through greater public participation.

Ms Mufti, the official spokesman said, urged army commanders to help consolidate and carry forward the state government’s confidence building measures on the security front and the initiative for border tourism which would go a long way in ensuring peace and tranquility along the border and within the mainland. While appreciating the role of the army in civic action programmes like Sadhbavana, she asked them to involve the local youth in activities like sports and skill development, especially in the remote border areas of the state.

A defence spokesman here added that following his meeting with J&K governor N.N. Vohra in New Delhi on Monday, Gen. Suhag had had a “cordial meeting” with the CM at her official residence here during which a wide range of issues.