Special Commentary of JK News Today
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan’s Jammu visit on Sunday and the meetings he presided over to review the security situation and related issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir showcases that the Centre is devoted to the security of the UT at all levels . In fact, the deliberations at the meetings underlined that security of J&K has wider spectrum than traditional deployment of forces and undertaking preventive measures against terrorism and their backers.
The review meetings go in line with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s keen interest in pursuit of peace in Jammu and Kashmir where a lot of landscape has been covered in the past over five years, especially since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 . Shah, who had piloted the bill to revoke Article 370 in the Parliament in the first week of August 2019, through regular review meetings whether he chairs himself or the Home Secretary, is ensuring that the path to peace is not interrupted.
What has trickled out of the meetings on Sunday indicates that the Central government is working on two planks. One, it is to preserve and consolidate the landscape that has been freed from terrorism and its attendant evils that tampered lives of the people. This phenomenon has come about in the past over five years because of the measures that Central government took to pull plugs on terrorism
Second, it is to involve people as real stakeholders in peace-building efforts. The concept of security is incomplete without raising stakes of the people in security narrative. Home Minister has been trying to bring about the situation wherein masses in J&K become the biggest stake holder in normalcy and peace.
The challenges have increased on the security front. Earlier, security forces operations against terrorists and their ecosystem were considered as the sole way to bring normalcy. The elimination of terrorists was seen as the biggest imperative in making the people fearless. Now the very idea of sense of security has undergone transformation as there is a lookout for peace in all its forms and manifestations. They want the attendant benefits to be delivered to them, and all the time security forces cannot be deployed to help them gain that. Their own efforts too should be invoked.
And when Home Secretary touched upon the security of Jammu region, where some disturbing incidents, including abductions and killings have taken place, he underscored the need for putting to an end to all such activities that shake faith of the people. Luckily, the people in this region volunteer for the cause of national security. They want to be part of the VDGs and also mount vigil on the suspicious activities, whether emanating from across the LoC or within the hinterland
Jammu is blessed with a geographical location which is one of the biggest assets of the country. It stands in between the PoJK – the other side of the LoC- and Kashmir Valley. Its mountains touch the boundaries of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, while plains serve as a gateway to the people coming from Punjab. Its geographical and demographic matrix has its special needs and security figures high on this. Jammu, as such, is not only a critical spot for national security but also a nerve centre in which its plays a role of defending frontiers. Its men and women are unpaid soldiers in the border areas as also in the interiors.
The railway line that has connected the Valley with the rest of the country will come to life soon when trains start chugging between the valley and other destinations in the country. The major portion of the rail link, including the highest rail bridge of the world and first cabal supported Anji Bridge, are located in the region. Therefore the security of the rail link and its assets becomes a major challenge. The intentions of Pakistan are not unhidden.
The people have got the message that they have to rise to the occasion. And the message of their participation in peace, progress and new heights has been delivered very successfully by Home Secretary. Next time , he comes , he should be hosting meetings with civil society too. That will help foster greater positive vibes vis-à-vis security and people’s participation in this picture.
