Only 272 detained under PSA in J

Srinagar, July 21 (UNI) Dismissing the opposition claim that thousands were languishing in jails, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said only 272 people were detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) for their involvement in militancy in the state.

''We are releasing some more persons detained in different jails,'' Mr Azad said.

Reacting to opposition allegation that no meeting of screening committee, comprising representative from state and Centre, was taking place for the release of detenues, Mr Azad said two such meetings took place last year following which several people were released.

He said only on Thursday, another meeting was held and some more persons could be freed.

He said custodial killings had drastically come down as against 30 to 40 such cases annually some years back, the number was now as low as 3 to 4.

This was only possible because of the stern measures taken by the government, he said and added his government's effort was to bring the number of such cases to the level of zero.

Chief Minister said while human rights violations by security forces deserved severe condemnation, such criminal acts committed by others in the society should also be denunciated.

Mr Azad said in view of the serious cognizance and stern action taken by his government, no case of custodial disappearance had been reported from anywhere in the State for the last seven months.

He said no case had been registered in any police station about forced disappearance since January this year.

Mr Azad commended the people of the state for improvement in the situation and said but for the change in their mindset, this improvement would not have been possible.

UNI