MHA officials out of tune with govt stand on Pakistan?

NEW DELHI: Senior functionaries within the home ministry on Tuesday seemed to be out of tune with the government stand on the ceasefire violations by Pakistan. The ministry sent a message to BSF DG DK Pathak on Tuesday morning to hold a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers. By afternoon the plan was dropped on the pretext of "observing the behaviour of Pakistan" before taking a decision.

Curiously, this came in the backdrop Pathak having declared in a media statement on Monday itself that there would be no flag meeting with Pakistan as there was no point talking to them.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh too had made the intentions of the government clear when he said on Monday that Pakistan must stop ceasefire violations and "understand the reality that times have changed in India".

Addressing a rally in Latur on Tuesday, Singh reiterated his statement: "It has been conveyed in no uncertain terms to Pakistan that ground realties in India have changed. If the violations continue, the army and every youth of this country are ready to give a befitting reply to Pakistan."

Sources said a message had been sent to BSF DG DK Pathak on Tuesday morning to seek a commander-level flag meeting to de-escalate the tension on the border on the instructions of a senior home ministry official.

But the plan, sources said, had to be dropped and it was decided to "observe the behaviour of Pakistan" in the coming days before making any such overtures.

Pathak, who was touring Sambha sector on Tuesday, is believed to have sent a report to the home ministry about the situation along the International Border.

http://ift.tt/10M5vHl officials out of tune with govt stand on Pak,Firing at Line of Control,Pakistan Rangers,ceasefire violations

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India’s mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.