JAMMU, July 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and is understood to have briefed him on various aspects of situation in Jammu and Kashmir mainly the law and order including ongoing anti-terror operations and strengthening of anti-infiltration grid on the borders and annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji.A brief statement issued after the meeting by the PMO India on its X handle read: “Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha met Prime Minister Narendra Modi’’.
The meeting lasted over half an hour, the sources said.
The Lieutenant Governor is likely to meet more Central Government functionaries in New Delhi.
In next about a fortnight, Jammu and Kashmir will be completing six years of abrogation of Article 370 granting special status to erstwhile State and its bifurcation into two UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
“Restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir during this period reportedly figured prominently during the meeting,’’ the sources said, adding that situation is now near normal in the UT. Situation post April 22 Pahalgam terror attack followed by Operation Sindoor from May 6-10 was also discussed, they said.
They added that the Lieutenant Governor is reported to have briefed the Prime Minister on ongoing development works like construction of National Highways, tunnels etc, annual 38-day-long pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shri Amarnath yatra, which started on July 3, today crossed 2.5 lakh and has been going on smoothly in South Kashmir Himalayas. There has been heavy rush of pilgrims at base camps of Nunwan (Pahalgam) and Baltal in Ganderbal besides Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas at Jammu.
All security and other arrangements have been made for the pilgrims who have repeatedly been expressing satisfaction over them. The pilgrimage will conclude on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Tourists have also started returning to Jammu and Kashmir post Pahalgam terror attack. Tourism saw decline after the attack but gradually the tourists have resumed trips to different parts of the Valley.
Sinha is reported to have briefed the Prime Minister about ongoing anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir by multiple security agencies to finish terrorism and its ecosystem in the UT.
Situation has been normal in the hinterland as well as borders post April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor from May 6-10 with no terror incident reported from anywhere. However, anti-terror operations have been going on in upper reaches of Udhampur, Kishtwar, Kathua and other districts in the Jammu regions besides the Valley.
Only yesterday, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat stated that top Jaish-e—Mohammed (JeM) commander Haider has been killed in Basantgarh encounter few days back.
The anti-infiltration grid has been further strengthened both along the Line of Control (LoC) as well as International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that the terrorists don’t manage to infiltrate from Pakistan.
There have been reports that the Ministry of Home Affairs has in-principle approved the raising of 20 CRPF battalions for their deployment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor is also understood to have briefed the Prime Minister on ongoing major developmental works in Jammu and Kashmir like National Highways, Expressway, tunnels, bridges etc to further strengthen road connectivity.
