Stop cross-border infiltration: Mufti's message to Pakistan

Jammu, Mar 23: A day after he asked Pakistan to rein in terrorists, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Monday took up where he left off saying the neighbouring country should be told to halt cross-border infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir as it was a prerequisite for peace.

"I want to tell everybody, that Pakistan, Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistani establishment should be told that nobody should be allowed to cross into this side from that side. Then only there will be peace, otherwise not," he told the Legislative Council here.

Sayeed was replying to supplementary queries posed by several members in the House on a question by PDP member Yashpal Sharma.

Complimenting the Army for installation of the border fencing during the previous PDP rule, Sayeed said, "From 2002 to 2010 from Kargil to Kathua there was no firing (on border). During our rule, we impressed on Gen N C Vij, the then Army Chief, to ensure fencing on the borders and there was full fencing... They (Pakistan) were not allowing us to construct the fence," he said.

"That was effective in checking infiltration. Now they (militants) have found out ways to cut into the fence. There is some technique wherein you can cut the fence (for infiltration)," he said.

Batting strongly for peaceful borders, Sayeed said, "We have to ensure peace on our borders. That should be our aim and target". "I want to assure the members of this House that we will create an atmosphere of peace and Government of Pakistan must also ensure peace," he said.

The Chief Minister said that border firing is not good for both sides. "People on both sides get killed in the firing. Why is that there was no firing from 2002 to 2010. There was no loss of life or damage to property. We need to formulate a strategy to (ensure peace along the borders)," he added.

"People of Jammu and Kashmir suffer the most... we are seriously thinking on it. Until that happens we should be alert", he said. "They (cross-border elements) are also throwing heroin and other narcotic materials over and above the fencing towards this side," he said.

"I want to assure the members who have concerns on the issue that we will create an atmosphere of peace and normalcy on the borders," he said.

Accused of being soft on separatists, Sayeed had condemned the two back-to-back terror attacks in the state, terming these as a "conspiracy" to derail the peace process and had asked Pakistan to rein in the terrorists.

Sayeed had made the statement in the state Assembly which adopted a resolution condemning the attacks on a police station and an army camp in Kathua and Samba areas of Jammu on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

PTI