Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday conveyed to a National Conference delegation that the state has no knowledge of any changes in the Constitutional provisions and assured that the deployment of additional paramilitary forces was purely for security reasons.
Earlier, Governor Malik met a delegation ofpolitical leaders led by NC vice president Omar Abdullah.
“Omar Abdullah and the delegation members apprisedthe Governor about the obtaining situation in the Kashmir valley after theGovernment Advisory asking Amarnath Yatris and tourists to return as soon aspossible. They also mentioned about the panic buying by people of essential commodities,”said an official spokesman.
Governor Malik informed the delegation that thesecurity situation has developed in a manner which required immediateaction.
“There were credible inputs which were available tothe security agencies regarding attacks on the Amarnath Yatra. There has beenintensified shelling on the LoC by Pakistan which was responded to effectivelyby the Army. This was mentioned in the Press Conference yesterday afternoon bythe Corps Commander of the Army and the DGP. Details of weapons and ammunitionrecovered were given. The seriousness of the threat required immediate action,”he said, as per the spokesman.
It is in this context that the government hadissued an advisory asking Yatris and tourists to return as soon as possible. “Theseare a vulnerable group of people who do not know the area and are extremelyvulnerable to a terrorist or a fidayeen attack.”
“It is the responsibility of the state to providesecurity to all its citizens. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, Yatris andtourists have been asked to return. This is to ensure that no terrorist attacktakes place on them.”
“Therefore, security to its citizens has to beprovided by the State, even at some inconvenience which is being done.”
Governor Malik also said that the state has noknowledge of any changes to constitutional provisions. “Therefore, no panicshould be created by unnecessarily linking this security matter with all kindsof other issues. A pure security measure is being mixed up with issues withwhich it has no connection. That is the cause of the panic. The Home Secretaryand the Divisional Commissioner have clarified this yesterday.”
The Governor requested the political leaders to asktheir supporters to maintain calm and not believe exaggerated and unfoundedrumours being circulated all around.