Samikhsya Bureau
The incident in Pulwama has become an emotive issue and angers all over the country against the perpetrators is rising high. Citizens and students hailing from Jammu and Kashmir are very likely to be on the borderline of insecurity, mainly the ones staying in various parts of the country. Hence their security becomes a pivotal issue. The authorities should be duty-bound to see that they do not feel insecure on any account.
Hours after National Conference leader Omar Abdullah met Union home minister Rajnath Singh and sought adequate steps for protection of students and others from the state in various parts of the country, the centre has reviewed the situation.
According to government sources, the state governor Satya Pal Malik was briefed about the steps being taken in various states including in Dehradun and Himachal Pradesh.
The state government officials have subsequently informed the centre that governor was told that the liaison officers appointed at all major locations “were working effectively and coordinating with university authorities and local police ensuring the safety of our students”.
According to Jammu and Kashmir government sources in the national capital, “some minor developments” have been reported in Baba Fareed Institute of Technology, Dehradun, Maharishi Markand University, Ambala and Chitkara University, Batti (Himachal Pradesh.
In all three places, liaison officers worked with the deans and vice chancellors to ensure safety of students from Jammu and Kashmir. “The governor directed that the LOs should continue to be in close touch with J&K students and ensure their safety,” a source said.
On tension in certain hubs in Jammu region, the governor has meanwhile directed the state police authorities to ‘take strict action without mercy against those indulging in any type of violence, arson or rumour mongering irrespective of political and religious affiliation’.
The issue about safety of a section of people in Jammu region also figured at the all-party meeting wherein too Rajnath Singh assured political party leaders and floor leaders that specific instructions have been given not to spare anyone indulging in arson and the order would apply even to BJP supporters and workers.
The governor also directed the divisional commissioner, Jammu to hold peace committee meetings and appeal to all parties to maintain peace and harmony.
Sources also said the minister of state in prime minister’s office Jitendra Singh also called on the governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan and discussed various important issues including prevailing law and order situation in Jammu, sources said.
(With agency inputs)
