Call on NICO extension after security review: Rajnath

Srinagar, Jun 08: The union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, on Friday, said that the prospect of extension of the ongoing non-initiation of combat operations (NICO) in Kashmir will be taken after reviewing and assessing the security situation of the state.
“After proper consultation with the public representatives and reviewing the security situation, a decision in connection with the extension of ceasefire will be taken. The security scenario across the state will be reviewed at the highest level soon,” Singh told reporters outside Dak Bunglow Kupwara.
Singh, who was on a two day visit to Kashmir, arrived in Kupwara Friday morning and met several delegations of people.
The representatives of different delegations submitted list of demands to the home minister and urged him to take concrete steps for the welfare of border people of Kupwara.
“Five battalions of IR will be raised and sixty percent vacancies will be reserved for the people of border area,” he said.
Singh also met the people living near the border areas.
Later, he flew to Jammu to meet those living in the border areas there. The exchange of fire from across the border has forced thousands of locals to shift their base over the past few weeks.
On Thursday, the Home Minister, while addressing a press conference, had stated that New Delhi won’t allow any obstacle to come in the way of its mission to ensure lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I would like to repeat that no matter how many obstacles come in our (Centre’s) way, we will not be deterred in our aim to bring lasting peace to Kashmir,” he said.
Singh also expressed his dismay about Pakistan’s repeated violation of the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) during the holy month of Ramadan, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Suspension of Operation order to the Indian side.
Praising the armed forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police, he said, “I have no hesitation in saying that our security forces, including the army and police, have worked with utmost restraint.”