It is most 'peaceful' phase in J

Jammu, Apr 2 (UNI) Present is the most 'peaceful' phase in the history of militancy hit Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said here today.

Talking to UNI, Mr Jaiswal, who is on two-day visit to the state, said the violence in the state is at ''the lower ebb these days''.

After visiting the far flung areas, he said, ''Increase in the number of tourists for the past three months has indicated that Jammu and Kashmir is a peaceful state these days,'' Mr Jaiswal said, adding that the credit goes to the Army, Security Forces and the people, who have always remained cooperative and courageous.

''I am sure that this summer, previous records of pilgrims will break, who are visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and coming here for two-month long Shri Amarnath Yatra from across the country and the world,'' he asserted.

''People have realised that nothing can be solved through violence and it has helped in the restoration of peace in all the regions of the state,'' the Minister said.

''Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as a peaceful state but militancy has not yet eradicated completely. We have to take more precautions as this is an election year in the state,'' he told UNI.

The people of state are being benefitted by the packages announced by the Centre for developmental and infrastructural processes, he added.

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