J&K Governor meets Rajnath, briefs him about state's situation

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here on Friday and briefed him on the situation in the troubled state.

The central government had announced a ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan in the state, asking the security forces to halt their operations to help "peace loving Muslims" observe fasts in a peaceful environment, an official said.

During the nearly 20-minute meeting, Vohra apprised the Minister about the impact of the decision to halt security operations, particularly in the Kashmir valley, which had seen a spurt in violence.

The Home Ministry announcement came on May 16, a day before the beginning of Ramadan.

Both also discussed the situation along the border with Pakistan, which has been violating the ceasefire regularly, said informed sources.

The Minister also discussed the impending end of Vohra's second stint as Governor on June 25.

The meeting assumes significance as Rajnath Singh is expected to visit Jammu and Kashmir next week for two days to chair review meetings with officials of the Army, police, paramilitary forces and government functionaries to assess the ground situation, besides taking stock of arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra that begins on June 28.

During his visit, the Minister will also deliberate on the situation in the border areas, especially in Jammu, as the Directors General of Military Operations of both India and Pakistan have agreed to respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement and stop firing on the borders.

In three weeks, 12 persons, including 10 civilians and two Border Security Force personnel, were killed, scores of others injured and hundreds of residents living in forward areas being forced to migrate due to heavy exchange of fire between the two armies.

--IANS

rak/tsb/bg