LG Sinha orders iron-wall security
Srinagar, Nov 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday directed J&K Police to further tighten the security grid, intensify the fight against terrorism and narcotics, and ensure strict action against those spreading misinformation and divisive narratives on social media.
The directions were passed by LG while chairing a high level meeting of Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) of all districts of Kashmir.
The meeting, which began at 12 noon and continued till 5 pm, was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dullo, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, Special Director General (Coordination), Police Headquarters, Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gilani; Principal Secretary, Home, Chandraker Bharti; ADGP CID,
Nitish Kumar; Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, Mandeep K Bhandari; IGP Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg; DIGs of all three ranges, and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all districts and SSPs of all Police districts of Kashmir division.
During the meeting, LG Sinha asserted that officers should continuously assess the circumstances on the ground and remain alert and prepared to eliminate terrorism from Kashmir.
He took a comprehensive review of various aspects of security scenarios with the officers and called for concerted efforts to achieve the goal of a terrorism-free J&K.
The LG directed the civil administration and Police to work shoulder-to-shoulder for effective law and order maintenance, security, and the success of anti-terror operations.
“We must adopt a 360-degree approach to completely dismantle terrorism and its support system,” he said.
LG Sinha emphasised the need for a comprehensive strategy to counter fake news and false narratives. He also directed the Police and district administrations to connect youth with self-employment opportunities and ensure the quality disposal of grievances of the people.
The meeting also discussed the winter preparedness of district administrations.
LG Sinha exhorted the officials to remain vigilant and ready to counter any threat during the winter season.
He commended the J&K Police personnel for displaying professional excellence in ensuring the integrity of the nation and the safety of all citizens.
During the comprehensive review, each DC and SSP presented detailed reports on the current security situation, law and order, and developmental progress in their respective areas.
An official privy to the meeting said that the LG directed the officials to plug any gaps in the security grid and to maintain close coordination between the Police, intelligence, and civil administration to ensure peace and stability.”
He said that during the meeting, the LG said that the administration’s top priority is the safety and security of every citizen.
“There will be zero tolerance against those aiding terrorism or trying to disturb communal harmony through misinformation,” the official quoted LG Sinha as saying. “The LG also directed them to deal strictly with terror sympathisers.”
He said that the stressing on expedited monitoring of social media, LG Sinha said that no one spreading false or provocative content should be spared, and that cyber surveillance mechanisms must be further strengthened at the district level.
“The LG also issued clear directions for an intensified campaign against drug smuggling and narco-terror, calling it a grave threat to youth and society,” the official said.
“The fight against drugs is directly linked to our fight against terrorism. The district administrations must act tough on every element involved in the narco-terror network,” he quoted the LG as saying.
The official said that LG Sinha directed them to identify the drug hot spots and target them.
“The LG also directed to keep a watch on schools and colleges and not allow them to become drug hot spots,” he said.
The official said that both the Chief Secretary Atal Dullo and DGP Nalin Prabhat briefed the meeting on the current security scenario and reviewed coordination among various agencies.
“The Chief Secretary stressed improved delivery of governance and people-centric initiatives while the DGP highlighted ongoing counter-terror operations,” he said.
The official said that the LG also underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people contact, urging officers to reach out to citizens, especially in remote areas, to build trust and ensure better communication between the administration and the public.
“Public confidence is our strongest shield. Officers must remain accessible and responsive to citizens’ concerns,” he quoted the LG as saying.
The official said that the meeting concluded with the LG commending the coordinated efforts of the civil and Police administration and instructing them to remain vigilant, particularly in the run-up to the winter months.
He said that LG Sinha also directed the officers to evaluate the working of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) schools, whose “temporary takeover” had recently been ordered.
The official said that the LG also directed to take strict measures to stop illegal mining.
He said that the issue of fake journalists, which was also highlighted in the recently concluded autumn session of the Legislative Assembly (LA), came up during the meeting and the LG directed the officers to take strict action against fake journalists and weed them out.
