Crucial security meet on J&K on Monday

Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani has convened a meeting on Monday with the Jammu and Kashmir government to discuss various issues, including the security scenario in the state in the wake of last Sunday's massacre of 24 Pandits in Nadimarg.

The meeting will be attended by Defence Minister George Fernandes, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, and possibly, Governor G C Saxena, senior officials said.

The Centre is concerned over various policies of the state government, especially its "healing touch policy" that entails going soft on anti-terror operations.

The Centre feels that the release of militants and separatist leaders from jails and the merger of anti-terror Special Operations Group with the state police under the government's "healing touch policy" is likely to have an adverse impact on the country's fight against terrorism.       

The meeting is also expected to take up the issue of re-settlement and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.