LG meets protesters; says Govt committed to eliminate terrorism, help families

Announces Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia, Govt job to NoK

STATE TIMES NEWS

Rajouri/Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday met people protesting against the double terror strikes at the same site in Rajouri within hours, and said the government is committed to eliminate terrorism from the Union Territory and help the affected families.
I have heard several people among you. It is a commitment of the government of India to stamp out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir,” the LG told the protesters.

In-depth probe will be conducted into security lapses: LG Sinha
RAJOURI/JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday night said an in-depth probe will be conducted into the “security lapses” in the wake of twin terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.
Sinha chaired a security review meeting with top officials from police, Army and CAPFs in Rajouri and called for a detailed probe into the terror attacks that took place in Dhangri village.
DGP Dilbag Singh; ACS, Home, R K Goyal; Divisional Commissioner Jammu; ADGP Jammu; and leaders of various political parties were present in the meeting, which was also attended by the families of the victims and the village sarpanch.
In an apparent security lapse, two cousins — aged four and 16 — were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off in Dhangri village in Rajouri area on Monday, 14 hours after terrorists had shot dead four people there.
The terrorists, locals claimed, had planted the IED on Sunday itself and it was missed during the scanning by police and security officials who had cordoned off the area after the shootings last evening.
“Some people raised the issue of security lapses, an inquiry will be conducted to find out (whether there were any such lapses). On the basis of inquiry, action will be taken,” Sinha told reporters.
He said the Army was also conducting operations in the area and “we will try to take strong action in days to come in this area”.
The LG said “two to three decisions were taken” in the meeting.
We will settle scores with those involved in this act, he added.
Asked whether the administration will set up security posts in villages for the security of minorities, he said whatever measures will be required, will be taken.
Sinha also asserted that the administration would strengthen village defence committees (VDCs). The VDCs set up in mid-1990s have proved a stone wall defence against millitancy in remote hilly areas of the Jammu region, according to officials.
Earlier, the families of the victims had refused to conduct the last rites of the victims till the Lt Governor came to the spot.
After Sinha visited them, they ended the protest and shifted the six bodies from Dhangri chowk to a government higher secondary school for the night so as carry out their cremation on Tuesday.
Sinha said that the administration was committed to look after the needs and issues of the families as well as the people of the district.

He was accompanied by Director General of Police Dilbag Singh J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina.
During his meeting with the family members of civilians martyred in heinous terror attack, Sinha expressed his condolences. He told them that the entire nation and the government stands firmly with the families in this hour of grief and the administration is committed to look after the needs and issues of all the families and people of the district.
Subsequently, the Lieutenant Governor held a meeting with the Sarpanch of Dangri village, DDC, BDC members and the families of Martyrs.
“We have given full freedom to the security forces and I want to assure the people that the perpetrators of this attack will be punished soon. Terrorists will have to pay a very heavy price for this despicable attack. It is our firm resolve to crush terrorists and terror ecosystem,” Lt Governor observed during the meeting.
He also said that the VDC will be strengthened immediately and in-depth investigation will be carried out in the incident.
Lt Governor said death cannot be compensated, it is an irreparable loss. He had announced Rs.10 Lakh and a Govt job to NoKs of each of those civilians martyred in attack.
DGP Dilbag Singh, ACS Home RK Goyal, Divisional Commissioner, ADGP and leaders of various political parties were also present in the meeting with families and Sarpanch.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Rajouri. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families,” Sinha said in a tweet.
He said the seriously injured would be given Rs 1 lakh.
After the meeting with the LG, the protestors agreed to cremate the bodies on Tuesday morning.