Azad calls for setting up of separate force to fight terrorism

New Delhi, Sep 5 (UNI) Advocating constitution of an internal security force under the Home Ministry for exclusively dealing with insurgency and terrorism in the country, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the Army and the para- military forces can then be relieved of their assigned duties in terror-infested areas.

Addressing the Chief Ministers' Conference, convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr Azad said a separate budget for this force must be created to meet the expenses on this count.

''The security forces should be trained in such a way so that they are careful and chivalrous towards the old aged, women and children in general and innocents in particular while being pro-active in dealing with terrorists.... and accountability needs to be enforced at all levels for human rights violations,'' he added.

He said minimising collateral damage and ensuring total respect for human rights has to be given top priority while combating terrorism.

Lauding the services of the Army and security forces in the state, Mr Azad said even while working in adverse situations, they had improved the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

''They face language and cultural barriers and are not well-versed with the local topography and psyche in comparison to the local police which has an advantage of being part of the environment they are operating in,'' he said.

''As such, local police will have to be augmented, trained and equipped by adding to its strength an additional 50,000 personnel.

This would also deal with increasing unemployment problem in the state,'' he added.

The Chief Minister said these well ''trained and tested'' Jammu and Kashmir police personnel can be deployed for internal security duties in other parts of the country.

Stressing upon weaning away the youth from militancy, the Chief Minister said unemployment among the young has to be checked by a special employment package particularly the educated, in the state.

''A massive effort of absorbing them under government, semi-government and private sectors has to be undertaken,'' he added.

In view of the acute shortage of doctors in Jammu and Kashmir and limited capacity of medical colleges, state and private medical institutions in other parts of the country should lend a helping hand by reserving ten slots each for the youth from state, Mr Azad said.

''This arrangement should continue at least for a decade,'' he said.

Referring to the problems faced by people from Jammu and Kasmhir in other states, Mr Azad said he had written to Chief Ministers of various states where thousands of students are studying and large number of businessmen are working about the harassment they face from the local police.

''State authorities have been asked to issue directives to local police that in case of suspicion against any student or businessman from Jammu and Kashmir, they should immediately get in touch with the Director General of Police or other police authorities of J&K to verify the antecedents of these people, before starting their interrogation,'' he added.

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