New Delhi (TDI): Hours after India’s cross-border airstrikes inside Pakistan, the Indian government urged several sensitive states from the west to the east to brace for Pakistan’s retaliation.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a security review meeting via video conferencing on Wednesday afternoon with the Lieutenant Governors of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, chief ministers of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal, and a representative from the Sikkim government.
Home Minister Shah in a statement, “All states should make their preparations as per the guidelines issued for the mock exercise. Arrangements should be made for smooth operation of essential services such as hospitals, fire brigade etc. and continuous supply of essential goods should be ensured.”
He said that strict vigil should be kept on anti-national propaganda by unwanted elements on social and other media platforms and quick action should be taken in coordination with state governments and central agencies.
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Every effort should be made to maintain uninterrupted communication and the security of vulnerable points should also be further enhanced, he said.
The Minister added that he also asked the states to stop the spread of fear among the people of India.
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He also asked the states to keep disaster response forces, civil defense, Home Guards and NCC on alert. “Efforts should be made to ensure public participation through citizens and non-governmental organizations. Coordination between the local administration, military and paramilitary forces should be further enhanced,” he said.
Senior officials of the home ministry, including the Union Home Secretary, IB director, DGs of BSF and Central Industrial Security Force also attended the security review meeting.
