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New security measures for minorities: Farooq

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah said that certain measures are being contemplated for instilling confidence among the Sikh minorities in Kashmir and appealed to all to prevent Sikh migration in the wake of the Mehjoor Nagar killings which he described as a part of a deep-rooted Pakistani conspiracy of ethnic cleansing in the Valley.

Addressing an all party meeting in Jammu Monday evening, the chief minister said that he has discussed certain measures with the central team that visited Mehjoor Nagar Monday. The committee is submitting its report to the prime minister in a day or so. "I along with Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, will meet the prime minister to take a final view on these measures," he added.

Dr Abdullah said he has asked the minister of state for home and divisional commissioner Kashmir to visit each of the Sikh households in the 129 villages across the Valley to reassess security arrangements and revamp these wherever necessary.

He said it is surprising that despite the presence of security near the locality, militants succeeded in executing their plan. ''I am examining the whole issue to find out whether there was any laxity and if so who is responsible," he said.

He said Pakistan's game-plan is known to everyone. Despite the prime minister's peace initiative and unilateral extension of the cease-fire twice, there is no let up in militants' violence in the state. While the borders are quiet, Pakistan has infiltrated more than 300 mercenaries, he said

He said he had conveyed his concern to the prime minister over stepped up violence in the wake of the cease-fire, which had become meaningless for us.

Meanwhile, the administration extended the curfew for the second day Tuesday in Jammu and adjoining areas. Meanwhile, Abdullah suspended the Sub Divisional Police Officer of Narwal, where a person was killed and several others injured in police firing Monday, and a sub inspector, pending further inquiry for alleged use of excessive force to disperse the mob.

Police sources said Tuesday morning that the situation was tense but under control in Narwal, Nanak Nagar and Digiana Ashram.

Police was maintaining vigil in the areas, and the army had also been put on high alert they added.

Resentment brewed among members of the Sikh community over the death of a youth in Monday's police firing, even as the body of Mohinder Singh was kept in the local gurdwara, before cremation at 1500 hrs Tuesday.

The government has already ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

Meanwhile, in militancy related incidents unidentified militants shot dead Baksu Bajad and Karim Khan at Chapran Zachaldar in north Kashmir late Monday night.

Curfew remained clamped in the areas under police stations of Maisuma, Shergrahi and Sadder for the third day Tuesday.

However, curfew was lifted in other eight police station areas of the city since Tuesday morning.

UNI

The Kashmir ceasefire: The complete coverage

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