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Scattered J and K Hindus to move to 'safe' point

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir government plans to rehabilitate the scattered Hindu population in sensitive Rajouri and Udhampur districts at a single point for security reasons.

The decision, announced in the state legislative assembly by Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah yesterday, has been taken following the recent massacre of 20 Hindu villagers in the two districts. The killings have spread terror in the area, and some families had reportedly migrated to 'safer places'.

Dr Abdullah regretted that, despite the alert issued to various security agencies about the possible strikes on the eve of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's bus ride to Lahore, the massacres took place.

Asserting that "every government is responsible for protecting the lives of its citizens", he said ''the scattered houses in the rugged terrain'' expose the people to such attacks.

"The militants have not given up as yet, though the infiltration has been greatly checked and operations to nab them intensified," he said.

As a result of the concerted efforts of the security forces, the militants are on the run and vigil on the Indo-Pak border has been strengthened, he said.

He said the state police force is being provided with sophisticated weaponry. The Centre has already released Rs 200 million for the purpose against the committed Rs 1.9 billion.

The army and security forces are also getting modern and sophisticated arms to combat militancy, he said.

Asked if the government's rehabilitation plan would work, a senior police officer said, ''Instead of dislocating the villagers, we must strengthen the security measures to protect the lives of the people in far-off places. It will be difficult for the villagers to shift."

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