INFILTRATION IN J&K CONTINUES
UNABATED – INDIA IS DETERMINED TO FOIL ALL ATTEMPTS BY TERRORISTS
TO DISRUPT PEACE IN THE STATE – SAYS ADVANI
The Deputy Prime
Minister, Shri L.K. Advani today said that infiltration in Jammu
& Kashmir is continuing unabated from across the border and
there has not been any decrease in the infiltration along the
LOC. Inaugurating the 38th Conference of the DGPs/IGPs
here this morning, Shri Advani said in the month of September
alone there were 28 attempts to violate the line of control and
the terrorists had tried to sneak into Jammu & Kashmir from
the Pakistan side. He said 300 terrorists were killed during the
last two months while attempting to enter the Indian soil. It
was mainly due to the timely action on the part of security and
intelligence personnel that all such attempts by the terrorists
were foiled. Inspite of these attempts by Pakistan, India is determined
to bring normalcy in the State of Jammu & Kashmir and we are
moving towards this direction. The Home Minister said that it
is with this spirit that he has agreed to meet the Hurriyat leaders
for talks and hopped that they bring sincere, constructive and
realistic approach, consistent with the intense desire of the
people of the State to see an end to violence.
Referring to
the Prime Ministers renewed officer to Islamabad to resolve all
outstanding issues between the two countries, Shri Advani said
that the offer of peace talks to Pakistan should not be construed
as New Delhi’s weakness. Shri Advani said the new Century has
seen a heightened international awareness of the perils of terrorism
and whether Governments publicly acknowledge it or not, Pakistan
is increasingly being seen as the epicenter of jehadi terrorism.
Our repeated assertion that forces supportive of terrorism are
receiving assistance and sanctuaries in that country is receiving
corroboration. The recent declaration of Dawood Ibrahim, "Karachi-based"
as Global Terrorist by the United States is one such example.
He asserted that India’s determination to fight terrorism has
been stronger than before and it will use all its forces to put
an end to this menace.
Referring to
developments in Jammu & Kashmir, the Dy. PM said the tide
is turning in the state. The Centre is rendering its fullest support
to confidence restoring measures undertaken by the State Government.
Simultaneously, the Centre has stepped up its attention to the
State’s speedy and all-round development. The Prime Minister’s
announcement of a Special Economic Package for generating new
employment and self-employment and the blossoming of the tourism
sector are indicative of a fast changing ground situation.
Expressing concern
on the rise of Left-Wing extremism in some States. He said there
is a need for an effective strategy to counter this. He said the
Union Home Ministry is ready to extend all possible assistance
in terms of exchange of intelligence, liaison, modernization grants
and security related expenditure in addressing this grave and
urgent task. Referring to the dastardly attack on the Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister near Tirupati recently, he said the incident underscored
the pressing need for states to organize and employ their best
resources, in combating this growing extremist network. He also
hinted that the Centre is examining the feasibility of raising
a CRPF wing specially trained to tackle Naxalite groups.
Expressing happiness
at positive developments in the North-East, Shri Advani said there
is an increasing desire in the States of this region to strengthen
the forces of peace and join the National mainstream for speedy
development. A sharp decline in incidents of violence and the
killings following successful cease-fire agreements with the NSCN(IM)
and NSCN(K) are welcome signs. The peace-process in Nagaland has
received a tremendous fillip with the recent visit to the Prime
Minister to this State, he added. However, the situation in Tripura
and Manipur continues to remain a cause of conern and more concerted
efforts are needed to restore normalcy in these States, Shri Advani
said.
On police modernization,
the Deputy Prime Minister said the fund for this purpose has been
made more attractive and the Centre has taken a major initiative
to help State Governments modernize their police forces by setting
up a dedicated fund of Rs.10,000 crore to be spent over 10 years.
While highly praising the police forces for their courage in fighting
terrorism, the PWG activities and insurgency Shri L.K. Advani
insisted that the police must earn people’s trust. He said the
lapses by some cannot obscure the good work done by a majority
of the police personnel. Referring to the rape incident at the
Siri Fort enclave during the International Film Festival recently
he said a society where women are unsafe cannot lay claim to be
truly free and civilized. The police have a vital social responsibility
and no sophistry can absolve the police of this responsibility
in cases like this. He said the Conference will not only look
at police morale but will also apply itself to the crucial issue
of getting the people to trust the police.
Shri Advani hopped
that the 3-day Conference will deliberate on all these issues
of security and maintaining of normalcy in different parts of
the country. India’s vision of becoming a developed country by
2020 can be achieved only when the education sector, the health
sector and the security sector show notable development, he added.
