Counter militancy operation to continue : Governor

Jammu, Jan 8 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt-Gen S K Sinha today emphasised that the counter-militancy operation will continued with same vigour in order to restore total normalcy in the state.

Addressing the joint sitting of state Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council in Central Hall, the Governor highlighted the decline in the incidents of human rights violation in the state during last four year.

The Governor said, ''The state government has always supported the process of dialogue with different groups within the state and between our country and Pakistan, but at the same time counter militancy operations will continue with same vigour, aimed at restoration of total normalcy in the state.

Mr Sinha, further, said the Army, the Para Military Forces and the J&K Police have been doing a commendable work in combating violence in the state, adding, 151 security personnel have laid down their lives in fighting terrorism.

''As a result of its untiring efforts in the last four years, the coalition government has been successfully in bringing about a big turn-around in the state's security scenario and created a condition of peace and tranquility,'' he said.

''The year 2006 witnessed a decline of 16 per cent in the number of terrorist incidents and 28 per cent in civilians killings. In fact the killing of civilians last year was the lowest since the militancy erupted in the state,'' the Governer pointed out.

General Sinha said the state government was committed to the protection of human rights and results are encouraging.

''Even the allegations of custodial deaths and disappearances have progressively declined during last four years,'' he added.

He, further, said in order to bring the wayward youth to the mainstream, last year 51 detainees who were not involved in heinous crime, were released from various jails of the state.

UNI