PM reviews internal security scenario with Home Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reviewed the internal security situation in the country and took stock of the steps being taken on how to improve the situation, especially in northeastern states and Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and senior security and civil officials briefed Modi on the overall security scenario in the country especially in the context of alleged infiltration from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir and a few odd attacks on security personnel, an official source said later. The meeting was also attended by Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.

The Prime Minister also made inquiries on issues related to terrorism, alleged involvement of international organisations and activities of left wing extremism, during the meeting that lasted for about three hours.

Rajnath Singh had also had visited Srinagar on Friday and reviewed security scenario with top civil, police and military officials.

During the meeting with the Prime Minister in Delhi, Rajnath Singh and others told Modi that multi-pronged security strategy is being deployed by the Home Ministry. These include, sources said, anti-militancy operations, peace parleys with some insurgent groups especially in the northeast and developmental initiatives in Maoist-affected districts.

"Senior officials also briefed Prime Minister about effective border management,illegal immigration from Bangladesh, fencing work along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam, " a source said adding Modi also wanted to know about modernization of police forces in various parts of the country.

Besides Home Minister Rajnath Singh, two ministers of state in the ministry - Kiren Rijiju and Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary - were also present.

The meeting came after a marathon exercise on Thursday evening, when Modi reviewed the performance of major social sector and infrastructure ministries vis-a-vis the progress in works and comparison of the scenario with the present and as was in 2014 when BJP-led NDA had taken over.

Sources said at the directives of Prime Minister's Office (PMO), review of ministries like Defence, Finance and External Affairs will be also held separately.

The review of all major ministries by Prime Minister came at a time when there are speculation about possible reshuffle and expansion of his council of ministers.

However, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said in Kolkata that the meeting of Prime Minister with his ministers on Thursday had nothing to do with a cabinet reshuffle.

Earlier in the meeting in Srinagar in presence of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Rajnath Singh was informed about the recent militant attacks in security forces including at Pampore that led to the death of eight paramilitary personnel and the subsequent steps being taken, sources said.

--IANS

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