We cannot lower guard, asserts J&K Governor

Srinagar, Aug 14 (UNI) Expressing concern over militant camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and continued infiltration from across the LoC, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha said ''we can not lower our guard nor relax our vigil.'' He appealed to people to raise their voice against the human rights abuses by militants.

Calling for greater vigilance against continued infiltration from the PoK, he said ''prevailing instability and spurt in terrorism in Pakistan poses a grave threat to us.'' ''We can not lower our guard nor relax our vigil as there is possiblity that it may spill across the LOC into our State,'' the Governor said.

In a message on the eve if Independence Day, the Governor expressed concern over the terror infrastructure in the PoK and continued infilitration from across Line of Control.

He said the happenings in Pakistan can have disastrous consequences. However, he extended his sympathies to the people of Pakistan, saying '' we hope and pray that they emerge successfully out of the present crisis.'' Lt Gen Sinha said militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in death of 16398 innocent civilians, almost all, at the hands of militants.

He said IEDs and indiscriminate grenade throwing has resulted in 1699 deaths and injuries to 15289, including women and children.

Fragrant human rights violations by the militants, including several molestations and rapes and 157 throat slitting incidents have virtually gone uncondemned.

He gave a passionate call for mobilising public opinion against this mayhem.

Elaborating on the militant plans to vitiate the atmosphere in the State, Lt Gen Sinha said despite marked improvement in the security scenario due to the combined efforts of the people and the security forces, the State has not yet come out of the ''tunnel of violence''.

He said the incidents of violence continued and referred to two attacks on tourists in which 10 people, including 8 tourists were killed and 11 injured. In other two attacks on Amarnath pilgrims, he said two locals associated with the yatra were killed and 14 injured.

UNI