'Respect Human Rights, militancy will end soon'

Srinagar, July 21: Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief Kuldeep Khuda today said the day is not very far when there will be an end to militancy.

There has been a 40 per cent decrease in militancy - related incidents in the state as compared to previous years.

''If we move ahead with the same commitment, the day is not very far when we will see an end of the militancy saga,'' Mr Khuda said while addressing first Darbar of the jawans and the officers of Executive and Armed police here after taking over as Director General of the state police.

Praising the police force for its excellent performance on each and every front, he said the speed with which the police were performing would not decrease and instead should be accelerated in the future.

Referring to the fight against the militancy, he said it was because of the efforts of the police and the people that there had been a considerable decrease in the militancy - related incidents.

However, Mr Khuda urged the police to respect human rights during the counter-insurgency operations.

He said anybody found exceeding his limit during the operations against militants would face the law of the land.

''The environs are changing everyday and we should not remain away from taking the challenges head-on,'' Mr Khuda mentioned.

There was no room for complacency and need of the hour was clean anti-militancy operations and protecting the people and their property to the last drop of blood, following the oath which was taken on induction in the police force, he added.

He said the entire police force should try to bridge the gap between people and the police.

''I want to see Jammu and Kashmir Police as a People-friendly Force,'' he said.

Mr Khuda, first state subject who took over as police chief after 18 years, exhorted the officers and jawans to work with discipline and integrity.

He assured there would be smooth and transparent promotional and appointment policy.

Referring to the Anti-Militancy Operations, the Director General of Police said there had been 40 per cent decrease in militancy related incidents. In the last 17 years of militancy, 1400 officers and jawans of J&K Police had given supreme sacrifices to bring the militancy down.

UNI