Before de-militarisation give in writing for no security: Azad

Jammu, Feb 5 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today asked the separatists and some politicians and legislators to give him in writing for withdrawing their security before making a demand like de-militarisation of the state.

Over grants in Legislative Assembly, Mr Azad said the double standard approach could not be accepted, as the de-militarisation, seekers want fool-proof personal security for themselves and at the same time are crying against security forces.

''De-militarisation ki mang karnewale pahale likh kar den ki ab unhen security ki koi zarurat nahin hai tab main 24 ghante ke ander center ko sena gatane ke liye patra lihkunga, (For de-militarisation, first give me in writing that now you do not need any personal security then I shall write to the Union government within 24 hours to withdraw the troops),'' he stated in the Assembly.

Mr Azad, in a strong tone, rejected the proposal of de-militarisation. ''All the J&K politicians want fool-proof security and most of them were availed security guards but then also they are raising voice against forces,'' he said.

Maintaining that human rights violation and militancy are related to each other, Mr Azad said, ''as long as militancy is there, one cannot expect that human rights violation would be zero.'' He said during last 18 years abnormal presence of gun has caused bloodshed, all round destruction and disaster in the state. All the actions of the security forces, while fighting militants, will be appreciated but human rights violations will not be tolerated at any cost, he added.

The Chief Minister said, ''even in the regime of National Conference (NC) as well as People's Democratic Party (PDP) governments, there was human rights violation because security forces are fighting in tough circumstances.'' ''Zero human rights violation does not mean zero innocent killing. There may be innocent killing during militancy and counter-militancy but my government has stated action against the ones who have committed human rights violation,'' he added.

Mr Azad reiterated, ''I will encourage all those security personnel who are fighting with braveness and courage against militancy, because militants are the enemies of nation as well as people of the Jammu and Kashmir.'' Those leaders who are not in mainstream should also muster courage to condemn militant activities and continuous human rights violation being committed by militants, Mr Azad said.

UNI