Centre has taken several steps to strengthen security forces in J&K: Rajnath Singh

SRINAGAR: The Centre has taken a slew of measures for augmenting the strength of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir and creating new job opportunities for the state's youth, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Thursday.

The minister is on a two-day visit to the state to review the security situation.

Giving details about the steps taken for strengthening and augmenting the police infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said the Centre is providing all the help it can in this regard.

"Rs 174 crore has been given for restoration of police stations, while Rs 500 crore has been provided for acquisition of high-end weapons," Singh told reporters here.

He said the Centre has also hiked the monthly remuneration of 25,474 Special Police Officers (SPOs) in the state from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000.

"For creating new job opportunities for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, we have made all out efforts along with the state government," Singh said.

The Home minister said that 3,882 youths have been recruited by the central armed paramilitary forces.

He said, "7,302 youths have been recruited in the Indian Army. 5,381 local youths have been recruited in the five IRP battalions raised in the state."

Singh said the Centre has sanctioned two women police battalions -- one each for Kashmir and Jammu regions -- as part of its efforts for increasing the representation of females in security forces.

"We want to increase the representation of females in security forces ... We want to take it to 33 per cent. One women's battalion each for Kashmir and Jammu have been sanctioned," he said.