No custodial death, disappearance in JK, Azad

Srinagar, May 5L: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the custodial deaths had reduced to near zero level while there was no case of custodial disappearance for the past two years.

Speaking to reporters after re-opening of the civil secretariat here following the biennial move of office, the Chief Minister said that during the past five and a half years, the coalition government in the state had created an atmosphere of peace and progress.

He expressed hope that it would be further strengthened during the next six months before the elections were held.

He said the situation born of the last 20 years had vastly improved and specifically referred to the improvement on human rights front.

He said men and women were now freely moving around and carrying on their normal activities.

On the development front, the Chief Minister said that state was marching ahead with the other states of the Union.

He said the work culture introduced by him had yielded positive results.

He complimented the people and the government officials for their support to his efforts for changing the development scenario for the better.

He said officials from the lowest to the highest level had contributed and despite difficulties, infrastructure development in education, health, power, water supply and roads sectors across the State was commendable.

UNI