M A I N   N E W S

Focus on security, power as Modi arrives in J-K today
Arun Joshi
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 11
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen to visit Jammu and Kashmir for a second time in five weeks, underscoring the importance that he accords to this sensitive state bordering Pakistan and China, where overall development and security of borders and the hinterland figure on his priority list.

The pounding of the border villages by Pakistani Rangers in Arnia and Samba sectors in Jammu region in which two BSF troopers were injured on Monday and the reports of the recurring transgressions by the Chinese troops in Ladakh have reinforced the security concerns on the borders.

As Modi is visiting the land where a feeling of fear exists among the border villagers, he may pick the theme of saluting the soldiers and urge them to perform their duties in such a manner that the adversaries get a befitting reply.

For him, a lot of home work has been done by the new Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, who visited Siachen — the highest battle ground in the world — on Sunday. He also reviewed the situation on the eastern sector where Chinese troops have started intimidating the inhabitants by their banner drills, intrusions and pushing the cattle to the Indian side. Such face-offs have assumed alarming frequency. Having this in mind, the Prime Minister has advanced his visit to Leh by half an hour, which he will utilise in addressing the troops in Leh auditorium before laying the foundation stone of Leh-Srinagar transmission line. During his address, he is expected to assure the soldiers that the whole nation salutes their valour and stands by them.

However, the issue of poor quality of shoes and jackets may not be brought to his notice. The Army is running short of adequate clothing in the glaciers at the forbidding heights.

His visit on Tuesday is a clear attempt by him to connect with this Muslim majority state, shifting attention from the politically contentious issues – the posters have appeared in Leh demanding the Union Territory status - to that of the development and overall environment of security in the land which is battered by the ceasefire violations and infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistani troops and incursions from across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by the Chinese troops. Of course, the internal situation in this state, too, is not very satisfactory despite considerable decline in the militancy.

The Prime Minister’s choice of visiting the cold desert of Ladakh to inaugurate the two power projects – 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo in Leh and 44 MW Chutak hydroelectric project located in Kargil district - and laying foundation stone of the Leh-Srinagar transmission line is to convey a loud and clear message that for him the remotest corner of this state is important. He is talking to the people through the language of development.

The Army Chief has visited Siachen and would be briefing the Prime Minister about the Siachen situation. Pakistan thinks that demilitarization could be the starting point in de-escalating tensions on the borders. On its part, Pakistan is reluctant to acknowledge the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL). India is in advantageous position at the glacier. Narendra Modi understands the fact very well.

First the Prime Minister had flagged off Katra –Udhampur train in Jammu region and then Uri II hydro-electric project in the Kashmir Valley on July 4. Now it is the turn of the third major region of the state – Ladakh. It seems to be his way of saying that he, and his government, accord equal attention and priority to all the three regions of the state.

Modi had visited Kargil in 1999 on the day when Indian soldiers were celebrating the recapture of Tiger Hill from Pakistani Army intruders. Tiger Hill is one of the main features of the Indian side of the Line of Control. He may reflect on that, besides making it clear to both China and Pakistan that what is needed is peace and tranquility on the borders.

His visit comes two days before the Independence Day, when he would be unfurling the tricolour and making his maiden speech to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort, Delhi. He is expected to talk about the brave solders and the hard situations in which they were performing their duties besides how Jammu and Kashmir figures in his scheme of things.