By IANS,
Srinagar: Defence Minister A.K. Antony Saturday called for better coordination among various security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir to meet the challenges from across the borders and ensure peace in the state.
“Expressing satisfaction at the improved level of coordination among various security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to significant reduction in infiltration from across the border in recent times, Defence Minister A.K. Antony oday called upon the top brass of the army, para military forces, state police and intelligence agencies to bring more synergy in their efforts to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the state,” said a statement issued here by the defence spokesperson.
Addressing a joint security review meeting, here, Antony said the coordination mechanism should be made perfect to thwart any attempt from enemies to disturb the peace in the state.
“Enemies from across the border will continue their efforts; however, if the security and intelligence agencies understand each other better, the efforts of the enemies will not succeed,” he said.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani, Army chief Gen. Bikram Singh, Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, and northern army command chief Lt. Gen. K.T. Parnaik besides other senior officials of the state government and central agencies.
Antony had a note of caution for the security forces on human rights.
“In a democratic set up like ours, there can be no justification for the violation of human rights,” he said.
Antony also said that efforts should be made to reduce the visibility of the armed forces as much as possible without compromising efficacy.
Extending the central government’s support to the state government for their developmental programmes, the defence minister announced that the rate of rent of private land under occupation of armed forces will be revised next year by his ministry and ground work for this has already started.
Earlier in the day, shortly after his arrival in Srinagar, Antony, accompanied by Gen. Bikram Singh, Sharma and Lt. Gen. Parnaik, flew into the Uri sector along the line of control (LOC) in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district to interact with the army personnel deployed there.
In Srinagar, Antony also called on Governor N.N. Vohra.