Violence down, but infiltration on: JJ Singh

Srinagar, Nov 3: Army Chief General J J Singh today said the level of violence has been brought down significantly in Jammu and Kashmir this year as compared to previous years, but the acts of cross-border terrorism and infiltration were continuing unabated.

Addressing a news conference, Gen Singh said the loss of lives of civilians has also minimised.

''We are carefully analysing the physical casualties the Army suffers every year. While the non-combat related casualties have come down by almost 30 per cent, the combat-related have also come down substantially. It is a matter of satisfaction,'' he added.

The Army Chief said the counter-terrorism strategy has helped considerably in bringing down the level of violence in the state About the alleged increase in human rights violations in the Kashmir valley in the recent past, he said the Army was following a clear-cut policy of an iron fist for militants and a velvet glove for the people.

''We do not tolerate any deliberate act of human rights abuses.

All such reported acts are investigated. Statistics tell us that in the past 10-15 years, only four per cent of the allegations were found true,'' Gen Singh added.

He said action has already been taken against 110 officers and men found guilty of violating the human rights of the people. ''We are very particular about it. We want to win the hearts and minds of the people and this can be achieved only if there are no deliberate acts of human rights violations. We are proud that the human rights track record of the Indian Army is comparable and commendable.'' Gen Singh said the number of human rights violations in the state in the past few years have come down substantially.

''We are alive to the situation and would like to ensure that the human rights violations and collateral damages are kept at bare minimum, if not totally avoided,'' he added.

UNI

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