Chidambaram, who attended the unified command meeting at Jammu which was chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, and was attended among others by the top brass of the police and Army, was told that the police needs to be modernised for effectively tackling militancy.

The state police has a total sanctioned strength of 79,275 including the five police battalions which have been sanctioned recently. An additional 6,000 personnel are being recruited by the end of this calendar year to fill the gap caused by the withdrawal of the Armed Forces from the state. Moreover, the existing police stations in the state are being equipped with modern communication facilities.

The Home Minister reviewed the requirements of additional police stations, vehicles and weaponry for the police and the meeting was informed that both the Central and state Governments will work to strengthen the force.

Chidambaram has told the unified command that "in the long run, internal security responsibilities are to be taken up by police."

"The people of Jammu & Kashmir should have the feeling that their security is the responsibility of the police," Chidambaram told the Army and police officers who were present at the meeting. He also asked the security forces not to lower their guard in the state and to remain "constantly prepared to eliminate the chances of violence".

The vacation of the Armed Forces from private land and the buildings which have been occupied by security forces was also discussed at the meeting. Officials were asked to take steps for strengthening cross-LoC trade and to formulate a plan for the return of the youth through normal routes from across the LoC to their homes.