Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Apr 26: Stating that a multi-pronged strategy was in place to curb infiltration in J&K, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Tuesday said that it has approved a whopping Rs 9120 Crore for J&K under the security related expenditure in a bid to further strengthen the security apparatus.
The MHA also said that net infiltration was low compared to previous years as against 99 infiltration attempts made in 2020, net infiltration was estimated at 51 only.
“Militancy in J&K is intricately linked with infiltration of militants from across the border. As per reports, infiltration attempts and year 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 were recorded as 222, 121, 371, 419, 328, 216, 99,” reads the annual report of MHA for year 2020-21, released today. The report states that net infiltration in these years was recorded at 65, 33, 119, 136, 143, 138, and 51.
The report reads that it has also approved the raising of five IR Battalions, two Border Battalions and two Women Battalions. “The recruitment has already been completed for 5 IR Battalions. In order to further strengthen the security apparatus, the Government of India has provided Rs 9,120.69 crore (including Rs 448.04 crore till 31.12.2020) to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir under the Security Related Expenditure (Police) scheme since its inception,” the report reads.
It said that the security situation in J&K is monitored and regularly reviewed by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other security agencies. “The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also monitors the security situation closely and continuously in tandem with all the above agencies and the Ministry of Defence,” the report adds.
It states that the multi-pronged approach to contain cross-border infiltration also includes multi-tiered deployment along the international Border / Line of Control, border fencing, improved intelligence and operational coordination, equipping Security Forces with advanced weapons.
The MHA said that under UDAAN scheme 2018 under which 48,598 candidates were selected for training, 44,387 candidates had joined training, 38,942 had completed training and 24,193 candidates were offered jobs and 18,698 candidates employed in the Corporate Sector.
“Now the rural and urban youth including school dropouts are being imparted job-oriented training in various sectors such as ITeS, Sales and Customer Service and Hospitality etc. under the ‘HIMAYAT’ scheme being run by the Ministry of Rural Development for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh regions. In order to step up efforts under HIMAYAT, Phase-II of the scheme is being implemented under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), 2015,” the MHA said, adding that “The initial period of 5 years has been extended up to 2022 and the total outlay has been increased to ` 1,781.66 crore. As per the approved Action Plan for 2019-22, the target is to train 1,43,299 youths in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Under this Scheme up to December, 2020, 15,377 candidates have been trained, 6,397 youths are undergoing training and 6,609 youth have received employment. Bharat Darshan/ Watan-Ko Jano Programme 14.13 In order to provide exposure to the youth about the social and cultural diversity of India and also to show them the cultural and socioeconomic developments taking place in other parts of the country, Bharat Darshan/ Watan Ko Jano Program was organized virtually on various social media platforms considering precautions for COVID-19. 14.14 In view of the prevalent situation due to COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, funds have been provided to CAPFs, J&K Police and the Government of J&K for conducting Medical Camps, Veterinary Camps for distributing COVID Kits in UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh.”
