Mufti meets PM Modi, Rajnath, discusses Kashmir situation

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief him about the situation in the state, a day after the state government said it would work towards a phased withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from areas that are free from militancy for some time.

This is the first official meeting of Sayeed with the Prime Minister since he became Chief Minister on March 1 and comes in the backdrop of reports of cabinet expansion in which his party PDP may get a berth.

This was followed by a meeting between Sayeed and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, meanwhile, took to microblogging website Twitter to make a comment on the meet between the J&K CM and the PM.

So Mufti Syed has rushed to Delhi to explain to the PM & HM that he didn't mean it when he said he would take the decision to revoke AFSPA.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) April 7, 2015

During the meeting with the Home Minister, Sayeed briefed him about the law and order situation in the state especially the recent attacks on police forces. Three policemen were gunned down yesterday in Shopian district by suspected terrorists of Lashker-e-Taiba.

During the meet, the Home Minister asked the Jammu and Kashmir CM to provide land for composite townships for Kashmiri Pandits in the state, an official release said.

Sayeed assured him that the state government will acquire and provide land at the earliest for composite townships in the Kashmir Valley, it said.

Issues related to the Home Guards, remuneration for Special Police Officers (SPOs), ex-gratia relief for damage and casualty during cross-border firing and matters of security related expenditure were also discussed during this meet.

“...the central government would ensure that all possible assistance is provided to utilise the full potential of the alliance (of the BJP and the PDP) both -- in the area of security and welfare of the people," Singh said.

The Home Minister also informed the Chief Minister that the proposal of the state government for enhanced remuneration to SPOs is being pursued by his ministry.

The issue of raising the Indian Reserve Battalions for the state and effective utilisation of state police was also discussed in the meeting.

The meet was also attended by the senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Jammu and Kashmir government.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh described his discussion with the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister as "good".

"I had a good meeting with the Chief Minister. We have discussed a range of issues related to the development of the state," he said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Home Minister, Mufti said he discussed wide ranging issues, including the political situation in the state and how to implement the common minimum programme.

"I met the Prime Minister first and then the Home Minister and discussed the present political situation, peace process, action against corruption, development of the state, flood situation etc.”

"We have also discussed how to implement the common minimum programme. People of Jammu and Kashmir have given us a large mandate. We want to make Jammu and Kashmir an island of peace again," he said.

Sayeed, who arrived last night, is scheduled to meet all prominent Cabinet ministers to discuss issues pertaining to development of Jammu and Kashmir.

(With Agency inputs)