'Rise in infiltration attempts due to melting of snow'

Infiltration attempts by the militants from across the border have risen due to melting of snow in the mountain passes and the armed forces are fully prepared to thwart such endeavours, Minister of state for Defence M M Pallam Raju today said.

"I think infiltration attempts are going on. They show an increasing trend as snow melts because it makes it easier for the militants to come across the border," he said. "But we are adequately prepared and we are there to guard the nation," he said on the sidelines of the NCC Republic Day parade camp.

Both Defence Minister A K Antony and Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor have recently pointed out that the number of militants who infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir in 2009 was 110 compared to 57 in 2008.

Asked about the Sukna land scam involving four senior generals, Raju said if there was any "deviation or irregularity" in any procedure, it would be looked into by the concerned service and the ministry.

Raju also dismissed suggestions of factionalism in the army over the Sukna land scam, saying, "armed forces are a very, very disciplined organisation and there is no scope for personal rivalries in this."

Noting that the army has a "very structured" way of functioning, he said, "I don't see personal rivalries coming in the way of their functioning or working."

On the meeting of ministers of state called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss work allotment, Raju said the meeting would take place but he was not aware of the agenda.

To a query on the work alloted to him in the Defence Ministry, he said, "I am very happy as far as my allotment is concerned. My minister gives me a very free hand and he encourages me."