Bullet-proof vests, vehicles for J&K cops

Saluting the bravery and sacrifices of security forces in country's war against terror, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the forces are working hard to bring about peace and make Kashmir once again the paradise on earth.

Singh also announced a slew of facilities including, the trauma centre, bullet-proof vehicles, bullet-proof vests for Jammu and Kashmir policemen and promised to consider helicopter services for CRPF men deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and Rs one crore relief to martyrs of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

"It is an irony that some terrorists, who only believe in terrorism, talk of jihad and say they will get Janat (paradise). Don't they know that Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF and army want to make Kashmir 'jannat' again by taking its people along. India's 'jannat' is Kashmir.

We need everyone's cooperation to make this place a 'jannat' again", Singh said while addressing policemen in the Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

Union Home Minister, on the second day of his 'Mission Kashmir,' visited Anantnag where he met Jammu and Kashmir policemen and CRPF jawans of the 90th battalion.

Singh paid rich tributes to the policemen and CRPF jawans who laid down their lives in the line of duty. He also paid floral tributes to constable Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir who was killed in militant firing on police party at Anantnag on Saturday. Singh also paid homage to assistant sub inspector Abdul Rashid Shah who was killed when he was regulating traffic in Mehndi Kadal, Anantnag, on August 28.

"India bows before your bravery. We are proud of you. Courage cannot be purchased from any market. You are born with unassailable and unmatched courage. It is by your sheer grit and bravery that you are fighting terrorism," said Singh.

The Union Home Minister said the government has been trying to provide the best facilities to security forces who work in difficult circumstances. "We have been trying to provide you the best of the facilities. The DGP has talked about a trauma centre and we have approved it. We want every police station to have bullet-proof vehicles and have issued directions for the same," he said.

Singh said funds have been sanctioned for bullet-proof jackets for the police force. "Our jawans should get bullet-proof jackets. Funds have been released for upgrading police stations as well. I salute you because you have been fighting for the security of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat," he said.

The minister also said they have launched 'Bharat Ka Veer' to support the families of martyrs. "We have launched 'Bharat Ka Veer' to support the families of our martyrs. The nation is supporting the courage of our security forces. It is my aim to provide at least Rs one crore to the families of our martyrs from CAPFs", he tweeted later

Later, he flew back to Srinagar where he met delegations of various political parties including ruling PDP and main opposition National Conference, Congress, BJP, Sajad Lone-led People's Conference and Independent MLA from Langate Sheikh Abdul Rashid, besides others.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah-led National Conference delegation registered party's concerns and disappointments over the Centre's ambiguity in defending the State's Special Status in the Supreme Court with respect to Article 35-A.

The NC delegation also sought a sustained and open-ended political engagement with stakeholders in Kashmir irrespective of their ideology and urged New Delhi and Islamabad to make sincere and sustained efforts towards resumption of a comprehensive dialogue on all outstanding issues including that of Kashmir.