SHIMLA, Nov 24: The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to prepare a comprehensive plan to deal with militancy in Chamba district and to undertake massive reconstruction and employment generation measures.This was disclosed here today by state Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who returned after his hectic campaigning in Baijnath. The Chief Minister held a meeting with senior government officials to review the situation. DIG, Northern Range, I. D. Bhandari, gave a visual presentation on anti-militancy and confidence-building measures by the police. The police officer was in charge of Chamba operation when militants killed innocent civilians in the district.Reliable sources said the Chief Minister advised the police officers and civil authorities to draw up concrete plans and submit them to the government. He said the state government, if needed, would approach the Centre for assistance.However, there was a consensus in the meeting that overall situation had improved in the area and setting up of village defence committees and appointment of special police officers had helped in restoring confidence.The officers informed the Chief Minister that paramilitary forces and deployment of other forces had helped in sealing the border with Jammu and Kashmir. They also praised the local population for extending their whole-hearted support during the operations.Dhumal asked the police to be vigilant and show no laxity during the winter months. He also stressed the importance of modern communication network. Referring to the demand for filling vacant posts in the police, the Chief Minister said that these would be filled on a priority basis. He said no efforts would be spared to strengthen the police force in the state and police stations in sensitive areas would be adequately manned to prevent any untoward incidents.Among those officers present were Chief Secretary O. P. Yadav and Home Secretary Asha Swaroop.
