Srinagar
Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to hold a top meeting next week over the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said Union Home Minister Amit Shah will preside over the meeting in which National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and heads of various security agencies are also likely to participate.
“Amit Shah will review the current scenario in Kashmir,” sources said.
Sources said meeting will also discuss the suspension of internet services in Kashmir.
“It will be decided in the meeting whether to restore broadband internet services in Kashmir,” sources said. The meeting will also decide over the releasing of political leaders.
Over 30 leaders of National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference and Jammu Kashmir Peoples Movement are under detention including three former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.
Sources said Director General of Police JK, Dilbagh Singh will apprise the meeting about the security scenario in new union territory. “Union Home Minister has sought detailed report of anti-militancy operations in the valley,” sources said.
Internet services are suspended in Kashmir since August 5 when Centre abrogated the Article 370 and bifurcated the state into two union territories.
Sources said officials will also apprise Amit Shah about the losses suffered due to November 7 snowfall.
“Jammu and Kashmir government wants that November 7 be declared natural calamity,” sources said.
At least seven people lost their lives by heavy snowfall which caused heavy damage to public and private property across Kashmir.
Sources said that Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has directed also district development commissioners to ensure completion of the assessment of loss occurred to orchards due to snowfall.
They have been asked to submit report to divisional commissioner office Kashmir.
Valley-based apple growers have estimated 90 percent loss to orchards by snowfall.
According to the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union (KVFG), an umbrella body of all fruit associations of Kashmir, 80 percent of fruit plants of all orchards of the Valley were uprooted after the untimely heavy snowfall.
“The losses of fruit orchards are to the extent of about 90 percent. It would take at least 15 years for the growers to replace a fresh fruit plant with the broken ones,” KVFG President Bashir Ahmad Basheer said. (KNS)
