Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday discussed revocation of controversial Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) with Defense Minister Arun Jaitley, who arrived here on a two-day visit to review security situation of the State.Sources said Omar during his one-to-one meeting with the defense minister at Nehru Guest House in Rajbhavan, here raised AFSPA issue.“CM told Jaitley that since militancy violence has declined considerably in the State, there was need to repeal AFSPA from the peaceful areas,” they said.An official spokesman said the two leaders discussed in detail the security scenario prevailing in the state.
“During the meeting which lasted for over one hour, the two leaders also discussed the current situation on LoC and borders. The matters relating to the preparedness of the State Government to conduct Amarnath Yatra smoothly also came up for discussion in the meeting,” he said.“Had a very productive meeting with Arun Jaitley in Srinagar this afternoon. Discussed matters related to both defense and finance with him,” Omar wrote on micro blogging website, twitter.Earlier, Jaitley arrived on a two day visit to State in the morning. He was accompanied by Army Chief General Bikram Singh.It is Jaitley’s first visit to the State after he took over as the defense minister in Narendra Modi government.
A defence spokesman said after his arrival in Srinagar, Defence Minister visited Badamibagh cantonment, where he was briefed about the prevailing security situation by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command Lt Gen D S Hooda and 15 Corps GoC Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh.“He was he given a comprehensive briefing on the overall security situation in the Valley including the Counter Infiltration grid along the Line of Control and Counter Terrorism grid in the hinterland,” he said.After briefing by army officials, Jaitley visited Raj Bhavan, where he held a meeting with Governor N N Vohra.“The motive of my first visit to Kashmir is to take review of the overall security situation in State and meet the army soldiers and officer,” Jaitley told reporters in Rajbhavan.
Asked about recent ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Poonch sector, he said, “Army is aware of violations and if they do such kind of violations then our forces are capable to respond to ceasefire violations along the Line of Control”.Sources said Governor will host a dinner for Jaitley at Raj Bhavan, where the defence minister will also stay for night.The minister is likely to visit the forward posts in Uri tomorrow. He will interact with army officers and troops. Later he will co-chair a meeting of the unified headquarters in Srinagar.