Senior Army officer apprises Guv of situation along LoC, border

A senior Army officer Monday met Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and discussed the security situation along the International Border and Line of Control, especially infiltration bids from across them, a Raj Bhavan spokesman said.

The General Officer Commanding, 26 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Sharad Kapoor met the governor at Raj Bhavan here and briefed him about the security situation in the area of his responsibility, the spokesman said.

"During their discussions, the governor and the GOC reviewed issues relating to the pattern of infiltration from across the IB and LoC and discussed various other issues relating to overall security environment in the area," he said.

The spokesman said the Army officer also extended to the governor an invitation for the Republic Day Parade.

Besides the Army officer, several politicians including former ministers Hakeem Yaseen and Abdul Gani Lone too met the governor separately during the day and discussed various issues of state's interest with him, the spokesperson said.

Peoples Democratic Front chairman Yaseen discussed with governor various matters concerning the implementation of socio-economic development schemes and other issues relating to the interests of the state, he said.

He said Kohli, a senior BJP leader, apprised Malik of several issues relating to development of Kalakote assembly constituency of Rajouri district and problems being faced by the people living in the border areas.

He said former Nobra MLA Deldan Namgial thanked the governor for providing for a cluster university for Ladakh region too besides Srinagar and Jammu.

He also apprised the governor of the development scenario in Ladakh region, besides various hardships being faced by the people of Nobra due to prevailing harsh weather conditions there, the spokesman said.

A delegation of All India Jat Maha Sabha led by its president Choudhary Man Mohan Singh also met Malik and requested him to release the remaining amount of one-time settlement package announced under Prime Minister's Development Package for the families displaced during 1947, 1965 and 1971 wars.

The delegation also urged the governor to declare the area within eight kilometer of the IB as backward area and enhance the sum of compensation for the family members of those lost their lives or incurred physical disabilities in cross- border firing, he said.

Singh also sought special recruitment drive for the youths of the border area in police, Army, CRPF and other paramilitary forces, besides allocation of five marlas of plots at safer places for families living in disturbed areas along border.

They also sought shifting of fencing at border to Zero Line and compensation to families who are unable to cultivate their lands due to regular cross-border firing, the spokesman said.

He said the governor assured the delegation of due consideration of their demands.