'Develop peace zones and reduce size of forces'

Srinagar, May 24: Jammu and Kashmir CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today urged the Centre to identify areas which could be developed as 'peace zones and gradually reduce the size' of security forces deployed in the strife-torn state.

Presenting a paper at the second round-table conference chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here, he also called upon the Centre to bring the central forces deployed for internal security in the state under the Human Rights Commission.

The CPI(M) state secretary demanded measures for providing ''fair and prompt trial'' to all detenues and release those not involved in heinous crimes.

The Government should provide substantive relief to the victims of violence irrespective of their affiliations, he added.

Mr Tarigami said reports of inquiries conducted in the incidents of human rights violations so far should be made public.

He demanded constitution of a high-level inquiry committee for conducting a probe into the matter of disappeared people.

The CPI(M) leader also urged the Centre to handover Uri and Salal hydel power projects to the state.

''Released people under preventive detention, but not sentenced by courts and living a peaceful life after their release are being denied job opportunities in government services and also passport facilities. This needs to be undone,'' he demanded.

He said talks should be initiated with Pakistan to open the Haji Peer pass, which connects Baramulla with Poonch, as it would reduce the distance and time between these two districts.

''If Pakistan refuses to open Haji Peer pass, then an alternate route should be build to connect the two districts,'' he added.

UNI

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