Severe cold wave conditions have gripped the Kashmir Valley, resulting in significant challenges for governance and security. With power and water supplies disrupted, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has focused on immediate crisis management, emphasizing the need for effective measures to counteract the adverse impact of the harsh winter.
During a high-level meeting held on December 23, Chief Minister Abdullah convened officials to review the existing power situation. Stationed in the valley to oversee operations personally, he directed strategies to manage the peak electricity demand effectively. "We need to maintain efficiency to guarantee reliable power supply amid such extreme conditions," Abdullah stated. He instructed the Power Development Department (PDD) to strictly adhere to the scheduled curtailment program, aiming to keep consumers informed of planned outages.
Current assessments of the electricity grid revealed alarming facts: even with a 7-8% increase in electricity supply compared to the previous year, the harsh cold has led to surging load profiles, surpassing the available resources. This has been compounded by minimal water discharges at hydroelectric power plants, leading to record-low power generation.
To combat these troubles, Abdullah was briefed on the Load Curtailment Plan (LCP) aimed at normalizing the demand-supply gap. The Chief Minister's directives included rationalizing the load curtailment program based on loss profiles of electrical feeders, underscoring his intent to provide equitable power distribution to all residents, especially during this severe cold snap.
Joining Abdullah during the meeting was Chief Secretary Atal Duloo, along with other officials, including the Principal Secretary of PDD Rajesh H. Prasad and various chief engineers. Each was tasked with prioritizing uninterrupted power for healthcare and emergency services, recognizing the urgent need due to the challenging weather.
Meanwhile, security remains another pressing concern with the state also under threat from terrorist activities. Amid this backdrop, on the same day, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Javid Iqbal Matoo assessed security measures and winter preparedness at the Police District Awantipora. The meeting included officers from various security branches, including the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
Matoo stressed the importance of reviewing and enhancing current strategies to mitigate risks of potential terrorist incidents. “We need to intensify our cordon and search operations,” he asserted, highlighting the necessity for actionable intelligence, particularly near the highways. The officers were directed to erect checkpoints at inter-district boundaries to maintain vigilance over suspicious activities.
Under the broader security umbrella, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened his own high-level meeting also focused on Jammu and Kashmir security on December 19. Shah reiterated the government’s determination to achieve 'terror-free Jammu and Kashmir' under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's zero tolerance policy against terrorism. "We will achieve our goal swiftly, with all necessary resources allocated to enforce our strategies," he emphasized during the discussions.
The objectives set forth by Shah included executing the ‘area domination plan’ and the ‘zero terror plan’ on an urgent basis, aligning with his commitment to extending security agency efforts to eliminate all bases of terrorism. He noted the people’s strong faith in the democratic process, evidenced by high electoral participation, which he claims supports their governance model.
Shah's remarks also celebrated the security forces’ success in reducing terrorism incidents, infiltration, and preventing youth recruitment to terrorist outfits. The meeting featured participation from key officials including the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, and leaders from various security departments fostering coordinated efforts.
Both Abdullah’s and Shah’s meetings highlight the dual focus on ensuring basic services for the citizens amid natural crises and enhancing security protocols to prevent any escalation of threats. Their initiatives aim to strike balanced governance, ensuring safety and quality of life for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
By reassessing the current strategies for both power management and security, it’s evident local and central governments are aligning their goals to evolve plans effectively amid the cold wave conditions and persistent insecurity.
