In less than two months, Defence Minister A K Antony will visit Jammu and Kashmir for the second time on Saturday to review the security situation in the state. The minister will also hold consultations with senior Army and state government officials to get final inputs on a crucial report on troop rationalization instituted by the Prime Minister, Defence Ministry officials say. The report, currently with the National Security Advisor’s office, is set to be released soon and is expected to contain a significant compensation package for land owners whose properties have been occupied by security forces. While it does not talk about troop withdrawal, the report contains measures for making the Army ‘less visible’ by relocation from public areas and orchards.In a build-up to the minister’s visit, the Defence Ministry on Thursday announced a new relief package of Rs 26.75 crore for victims of the ammunition dump fire at Khundroo that displaced thousands of people and destroyed property worth crores of rupees. Earlier on August 11, the ministry had released Rs 10 crore as interim relief for people who lost houses, standing crop and livestock in the fire. “It is hoped that the state Government will take urgent measures in disbursing the amount to the affected people,” Defence Ministry spokesperson said.
