Infiltration has doubled during the last 12 months: Azad

Jammu, Nov 6 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the militant activities in the state have reduced during the regime of Congress-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) coalition government but infiltration from across the border has doubled during the past one year.

Talking to media after Darbar Move from Srinagar to Jammu, the Chief Minister refuted the claim of Army Chief that the rate of infiltration bid has reduced and said, ''his figures may be of a particular month but in general the infiltration rate has approximately doubled,'' adding, ''infiltration is the biggest problem in the state and we are trying to control it at any cost.'' He also said the last 17 years of militancy had been exploited by corrupt administrative elements and non-performing bureaucrats and in this regard a land-mark anti-corruption law was enacted in last December.

Speaking about the performance of his government during the last one year, the Chief Minister said, ''it was a matter of satisfaction that for the first time in the last 17 years, only one custodial disappearance case has been reported. '' Providing corruption free administration in the state is our top priority and serious efforts are being made in this regard,'' he added.

Stressing on zero tolerance to human rights violation, Mr Azad said his government wants to ensure the people of the state that no individual will be harassed. He said the government is always ready to talk to anyone who shuns violence and resort to process of interaction and dialogue through democratic means.

Further highlighting the performance of his regime during the last one year, Mr. Azad said ban on recruitment has been removed and nearly 2000 vacancies have been referred to public service commission and service selection board, which clearly potrays the innovative and people friendly steps taken by his government to create a better work culture, curb corruption and to make a responsible administration for ushering the state in an era of peace and development.

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