Backbone of militancy broken, recent attacks frustration: Guv

TNN Bureau. Updated: 6/20/2019 11:38:04 AM Front Page

Governor Satya Pal Malik flagging off a new motorcycle squad of J&K traffic police.

SRINAGAR: Asserting that the security forces have broken the backbone of militancy in Kashmir, Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday assured that ‘whatever is still left of it would be wiped out soon’.

Malik also said that militants were carrying out odd attacks on the security forces at the behest of their handlers across the border as they have lost the battle.

"Security forces have broken the backbone of militancy in Kashmir and whatever is still left of it would be wiped out soon," he told reporters on the sidelines of a flag-off event of new motorcycle squad of the traffic police.

Referring to recent militant attacks, Malik said: "These attacks are nothing new in this place, but we have subdued it over the past six months. I believe 100 per cent that they (militants) are under pressure from across (the border) to do something," Malik said in an apparent reference to the Pakistan-based militant handlers.

Such attacks are an exhibition of their frustration, the Governor said.

"They (militant handlers) feel that they have lost as the terror infrastructure they had raised in last 10 years has been dismantled. That's why they carry out an odd attack. In such cases, the initiative obviously lies with the attacker, but still we assure you that we will uproot this menace very soon," he said.

The Governor claimed that his administration has dealt very firmly with militancy in comparison to the previous government in the state.

He, however, admitted that sporadic incidents of violence such as the recent Fidayeen attack in Anantnag can happen and even countries like the US, England and France have not succeeded in preventing such incidents completely.

The governor said the ground situation in Kashmir was good and a way would be found to deal with the militant attacks. "Even US, UK and France have not been able to stop such incidents. We will find a remedy to it," he said.

He said militant recruitment is down, incidents of stone pelting after Friday prayers have stopped and those furthering violence in Kashmir have realised that this will lead them nowhere.

He said more and more youth are giving up the path of violence and returning to lead a normal life.

"Two such youth came back to their families after abjuring the path of violence only yesterday", he said.
Talking about the recent intelligence input about a possible militant attack that was shared by Pakistan with India, the Governor said Pakistan is duty-bound to share such intelligence with India, adding, however, that Pakistan had not been very successful in preventing terror attacks on its own soil.

Earlier in the day, Governor Malik Wednesday flagged off a new motorcycle squad of the traffic police here, launched to ensure better compliance of road safety norms.

The state government has procured equipment worth nearly Rs six crore, including laser speed cameras with automatic number plate recognition, combined pollution under control equipment, speed radar guns with laser camera, hill recovery cranes and 110 motor cycles, an official spokesperson said.

The Governor observed that the departments concerned should ensure the safety of people on the roads and extended full support of the administration in all the endeavours in this direction.

Malik also emphasised the importance of following traffic rules and road safety measures to bring down the number of road accidents.

The Governor said strict action should be taken against the violators of traffic rules and only trained persons should be allowed to drive.

He noted that many accidents take place due to untrained drivers.

Appreciating the initiative of the Transport Department, Governor observed that the Departments associated with ensuring road safety should formulate good practices for ensuring safety of people on the roads and extended full support of the administration in all their endeavours in this direction.

Governor stressed that officials entrusted with the responsibility of controlling traffic should strictly monitor two wheeler drivers who drive dangerously without any regards for the traffic rules and asked to make good quality helmets mandatory for its drivers.

Governor stressed the importance of educating people particularly youth to generate awareness for following all road safety regulations.

K. Skandan and K.K. Sharma- Advisors to Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Umang Narula, Financial Commissioner to Governor; Asgar Hassan Samoon, Principal Secretary, Transport Department; Dr. S.P. Vaid, Transport Commissioner were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.


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