Fearing backlash, cautious Narendra Modi to take call on pulling out central aid agencies from Valley

Fearing the return of strong backlash in the Valley in the aftermath of floods, the Union home ministry has recommended cabinet secretary Ajit Seth to signal pullout of the central aid agencies, limit their role only to provide relief supplies to the state government and leave restoration work for Omar Abdullah to accomplish.

Prime minister Narendra Modi is expected to review the situation and take a decision on this once after he is briefed by Seth who as the head of national crisis management committee (NCMC) is overseeing rescue and relief operations in J&K.

The ministry's recommendation sent to the cabinet secretary on September 13 came against the backdrop of several attacks on Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel when they were on rescue mission in the Valley. As many as 11 Army and two NDRF personnel were grievously injured. During the same period union home secretary Anil Goswami was stationed in J&K assessing situation and rescue and relief operations.

The recommendations also caution on the enthusiasm shown by the Army to evacuate migrant labourers from the Valley as such efforts are being seen as a sign of giving priority to outsiders over locals. It also warns about the propaganda launched by the security forces of patting their own back for rescuing lakhs of people.

Sources said that the ministry is wary that as the situation unfolds and water recedes letting people the chance to come out, their wrath could fall on the employees of central aid agencies.

A decision to withdraw central aid agencies and limit their role to assist government may also augur well for the BJP as it would shift the focus of restoration work on NC government led by Omar Abdullah. Though assembly election are due in J&K in November, the Election Commission is expected to take a call in October and may postpone the elections beyond March.