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Modi more at risk in Srinagar than PM's: JK co

By Onkar Singh in Srinagar
August 27, 2003 14:59 IST

Security personnel in Srinagar are not as concerned about Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's security as they are about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi will be among several chief ministers visiting Srinagar for the two-day Inter-State Council Meet, which is being held amidst unprecedented security at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre adjoining the Dal Lake.

"In view of Modi's strong action against terrorists in Gujarat following the train-burning incident, we have to ensure the best security for him," a senior official of the Jammu and Kashmir police told rediff.com.

The two-day convention will discuss Article 356, which empowers the Centre to impose President's rule in any state, which is not to the liking of the States.

The Justice R S Sarkaria Commission had made 247 recommendations on the issue, of which 230 have already been accepted by the Centre and the States in principle. But on the remaining, there is no agreement.

Another key issue that will be discussed is Article 365, which empowers the Centre to deploy paramilitary forces in
any state based on its law-and-order assessment.

The meet is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 1600 IST. The prime minister will deliver the introductory address at the two-day Inter-State Council Meet in Srinagar on Wednesday.

The convention is scheduled to end Thursday noon followed by a media briefing by Union Minister for Law and Justice Arun Jaitley.

Navy divers have been deployed around the Dal Lake while Indian Air Force aircraft will monitor the air space above Srinagar during the meet.

Onkar Singh in Srinagar

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