PM reviews security and development in J-K

Srinagar, May 24: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today chaired a crucial meeting of the Unified Command and discussed the latest security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and confidence building measures for restoring peace and security in the troubled state.

Dr Singh, who arrived here this morning on a three-day visit to preside over the second Roundtable conference on Kashmir, drove straight to the Army headquarters from the airport, to get a briefing from the Army Commanders on the situation along the LoC, cross-border infiltration and also the law and order situation in the wake of stepped up violence by militants.

The two-hour long meeting was attended by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, National security advisor M K Narayanan, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and GOC Northern Command and also Heads of Paramilitary Forces.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister asked the security forces to remain firm in tackling terrorism but at the same time advised them to be "humane and efficient" while fighting insurgency.

'' It is possible and desirable for you to be firm and humane, efficient and in control and unobtrusive", he told them.

While setting a new motto for the security forces-- " Maximum security with minimum disruption" , he said they should also win over the hearts of the people.

Dr Singh said nowhere in the world the terrorists had succeeded in fulfilling their ambitions. All problems can be solved through dialogue only.

Commending the role of the security forces in fighting militancy in the State, the Prime Minister noted that the forces succeeded in the conduct of the recent byelections to the state assembly, which was a testimony of their efficiency.

They also helped in the smooth running of bus services to the PoK, started last year.

The Prime Minister paid tributes to all those killed in the fight againt terrorism and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families.

It was for the first time that Dr Singh chaired the Unified Command meeting where he was briefed about the overall security situation besides various measures taken in view of the recent militant attacks in several parts of the state.

Well-placed sources said the Prime Minister was briefed about the overall security situation besides various measures taken in view of the escalation of violence in the Valley during the past few days. They said the fidayeen attack on a Congress rally here on May 21, the series of grenade explosions the next day and yesterday's suicide car bomb attack on the Border Security Force (BSF) also came up for discussion.

The meeting expressed serious concern over the recent spurt in violence in Kashmir, particularly in the summer capital.

The Prime Minister also enquired about the condition of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir K Rajendra Kumar and others who were seriously wounded in the suicide attack on the public meeting organised by the state Congress to mark the 15th death anniversary of late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at the Sher-i-Kashmir Muncipal Park here on Sunday.

They said the meeting also discussed the much-talked about troop reduction in the Kashmir valley, but there was no demand for increase in security personnel by any agency.

However, the sources said the members expressed serious reservations over withdrawal of troops from the Valley.

The Prime Minister was also briefed about the measures taken to thwart militant attempts to derail the ongoing peace process, the sources said.

Dr Singh was given a detailed account of the situation along the state's borders with Pakistan following reports that a large number of militants were waiting across the Line of Control (LoC) to cross over to the Indian side, they added.

He was apprised by the Army and paramilitary forces about the increased infiltration from across the border as compared to last year and the Prime Minister asked the armed forces to keep a tight vigil over the incursions from across the LoC.

The sources said Dr Singh laid special emphasis on the protection of minorities in the state, particularly in the wake of the recent killings in Doda and Udhampur districts of Jammu region.

In his brief speech at the meeting, Mr Azad pledged zero tolerance for custodial killings in Jammu and Kashmir and said it would be possible only with the active help and understanding of the committed and disciplined security forces. The Chief Minister said the civilian killings have come down to 144 till May this year as compared to last year's 199 in the same period while the killings of political activists have also decreased to six from 22 in the corresponding period of last year.

He said the total number of violent incidents have also come down from 716 till May last year to 587 this year for the same period.

''A very strong message against human rights violations has been conveyed to the security forces and the results are quite assuring.

Zero tolerance for custodial killings is our avowed aim and God willing we will achieve it with the active help and understanding of our committed and disciplined forces,'' Mr Azad added.

The Chief Minister said the situation was fast improving in the state though incidents such as the ''criminal suicide attack on the Congress rally on May 21 and grenade attack the following day may be seen as aberrations aimed at scuttling the round-table conference and the peace initiatives''.

Mr Azad said a close synergy existed between the security forces and the civil administration, resulting in the improvement of the overall situation in the state.

UNI

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