J&K govt in dark over Ram Madhav's visit

Violating the protocol, the local authorities in Jammu and Kashmir were kept in dark over BJP general secretary Ram Madhav’s visit here earlier this week by Central government authorities.

Madhav had landed in Srinagar on February 17 evening in a chartered flight to hold “secret talks” with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti over government formation in the state.
Sources said it was for first time in the past 25 years that the state police and civil administration were not informed about the visit of the high-profile dignitary by the Center.

They said the administration was informed about his visit when media broke the news and Madhav was leaving back for the national capital.

Officials said that as per protocol, the concerned political parties and the Union Home ministry were bound to keep the local administration in loop about high-profile visits, even if it had to be “kept top secret before the people.”

“As per the laid down protocol, there are some agencies in the state government which need to be informed about such developments,” the officials said.

Giving details, they said, the Divisional  Commissioner,  Inspector General Police, District Magistrate Srinagar, Senior Superintendent of Police Security, the Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar, the  Senior Superintendent of Police Budgam (where the airport lies) and the Senior Superintendent of Police Traffic need to be formally apprised in written about such developments.

“Even at war footing, there needs to be a formal correspondence, which is circulated, with a copy sent to all these heads so that requisite arrangements are accordingly made,” they said.