'Pro-demilitarisation elements should seek withdrawal of security'

Jammu, Feb 5 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today asked the separatists and some politicians and legislators, seeking demilitarisation in the state, to give him written requests for withdrawal of their security before making the demand.

Intervening during the discussion for grants in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Azad said 'double-standards' could not be accepted, as those seeking de-militarisation want fool-proof personal security for themselves but criticise the 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.

Rejecting the demand, he maintained that human rights violations and militancy were related to each other. ''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 guns'' had 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 asserted.

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

''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 Jammu and Kashmir,'' he reiterated.

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