Governor Cautions Against Rise In Infiltration In J & K

Jammu and Kashmir Governor K V Krishna Rao yesterday expressed apprehensions that infiltration of militants from across the border might increase after one month with the opening of mountain passes.

Addressing a function on the occasion of balidan-divas being celebrated in memory of martyrs and those jawans who laid down their lives while defending the motherland, the Governor said Pakistan would not give up its designs and continue to disturb peace in the state.

Although infiltration and ex-filtration had come down during the past few months, yet we must remain alert on the machinations of agencies from across the border, he said.

 

Welcoming the fothcoming talks between India and Pakistan, he however, said the sincerity of Pakistan for maintaining peace would be known if that country stopped sending armed militants to this side of the country.

Asserting that Pakistan would not succeed in its attempts to annex Kashmir, Rao asked the people, especially those living in border areas, to be vigilant and prevent the nefarious activities of the enemies. Referring to fencing the border between Jammu and Pakistan, the Governor said it would be taken up 150 meters inside the international border as was done in Punjab. He said he had told the army chief to take up with his counter-part across to stop unprovoked firing which has been causing problems to the people living in the border area.

Giving detailed account of what happened during last seven years of militancy, the Governor said now we have popular government to redress the grievances of the people and asked the people to extend its support to it for mitigating their own problems.

The Governor paid rich tributes to those soldiers who laid their lives in defending the country. He said the function also coincide with the occasion being celebrated in memory of the great martys Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

He said such functions should be held every year in each village of the state. The Governor of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, Mahabir Prasad, who presided over the function, commended the efforts of state Governor for holding election and restoring democratic government in the state.

He said with more development in the state, the remaining militancy will vanish.

Former state minister R S Chib also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, the two governors and several former army officers and political leaders laid wreaths at memorial at Satrian village near R S Pura.