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Stop bloodshed in Kashmir!

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday demanded that Pakistan be told in ''unequivocal terms and strong words'' to stop bloodshed in the state, because "we, the hunted, cannot remain mute spectators.''

He called for launching a massive operation to flush out militants and foreign mercenaries from mountain ranges.

While militants continue to hunt civilians, the government cannot remain passive, the chief minister said in the legislative assembly, winding up an hour-long discussion on Friday's Prankote carnage.

In his hard-hitting speech, Dr Abdullah said the time has come to contemplate taking tough measures including air surveillance, setting up security posts at sensitive ranges and joint operations for taking on foreign mercenaries.

''We won't succumb to their (Pakistan's) pressure,'' the chief minister said.

Referring to the killings, he said the Indian missions across the world must inform the committee of nations about the gross violation of human rights by Pak-run terrorists.

Dr Abdullah said Home Minister L K Advani, during his visit to Ahgam on Monday, had assured that troops and paramilitary forces would not be withdrawn without the state government's knowledge.

He said Advani has instructed top officials to undertake the reconstruction of Ahgam as a model village on the pattern of Surat, which was rebuilt following an outbreak of plague several years ago.

While the home minister went to the village to share the agony of the people, the Hurriyat leaders had come to collect 'corpses', he regretted. ''No civilian was killed in the village during the encounter. The people showered lot of love on Mr Advani,'' he said.

The chief minister said the Ahgam villagers listened keenly to the home minister, who was moved by their plight and assured them about their rehabilitation.

Dr Abdullah had a lot of praise for two soldiers who showed exemplary courage in saving the village mosque, and came to the villagers's rescue following the violence. He said he would recommend their names for bravery awards.

Dr Abdullah said the home minister would soon convene a high-level meeting of security higher-ups in Delhi for drawing up a fresh plan to tackle militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

UNI

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