By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Governor Lt. General (Retd) S K Sinha today said that State Government and the Army are showing immense zero tolerance to human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, which is grappling with terrorism.
Addressing the state level parade on the auspicious occasion of 59th Republic Day at M A M Stadium here this morning, the Governor said that zero tolerance against human rights violation means every effort being made to eliminate any such incident and anyone found guilty of this violation being promptly and severely punished.
He, however, elaborated that as in civil society murder cannot be totally eliminated, so in insurgency it is difficult to totally eliminate human rights violations.
First Lady, Mrs Premini Sinha, Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mrs Shamima Dev Azad, Judges of the High Court, senior leaders and legislators, top ranking civil, police and military officers including Chief Secretary, Mr B R Kundal and Director General of Police, Mr Kuldip Khuda and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
The Governor lauded the people, the Army, the Police and the Security forces for their valour to fight terrorism and said this has brought about a qualitative change in the situation. Notwithstanding all the good work being done by the Army, he said, there are the odd black sheep, who at times tarnish the its image by committing excesses and atrocities. Persons found guilty are being promptly and suitably punished. However, the vast majority of allegations have been found false. They reflect the constant vicious propaganda by terrorists and separatists, to demonize the Army. Of the 1489 allegations in 18 years, only 34 were found to be true. Disciplinary action was taken against 91 Army personnel who were dismissed and given sentences of rigorous punishment, up to 12 years. In 2007 alongwith marked decrease in incidents of violence there was also marked decrease in the number of such allegations. Only 3 out of the 9 allegations made were found true after inquiry. The guilty are being court-martialed. Disciplinary action is also being taken against their immediate superiors, for lack of adequate supervision. Similarly, in the case of Policemen, those found guilty are being severely dealt with. In a bad case of excesses committed by some policemen, a senior SP, a DSP and twelve Policemen are in custody and are being prosecuted in a court of law.
Dwelling on developmental scenario and other measures in the fields of education, health and road sectors, General Sinha said n an average 1 kilometer of road was added and 2 kilometers black topped every day in 2007. During that year, 1000 kilometers of road were black topped in the State and work on numerous road projects including the Mughal Road is proceeding apace. There has been improvement in power supply position in the State from the previous years. By the middle of this year, the much delayed Baghlihar Project of 450 MW, will be completed making a very substantial improvement in the power situation. Work on a major hydro-electric project at Nimmo-Bazgo in Ladakh is being carried out with speed. On the Health front, 200 bedded hospitals in each of the 22 district headquarters, and smaller hospitals at tehsil and block levels, are being constructed. Besides Government efforts to improve in developing medical facilities, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is putting up a state of the art 200 bedded cancer hospital, with an outlay of Rs 100 crores. This hospital is likely to become functional this year. In the education sector, 2000 primary and middle school buildings are being constructed and 18 new degree colleges are being established. The State Government and the Army have been making commendable effort to improve living conditions in Gujjar hostels.
The Governor said that an impressive progress has been reigstered in the University education, with seven Universities in the State- four Government and three private, doing well. Placements of students graduating in technical subjects have been 100 per cent. Infrastructure development in our Universities has also been impressive. Three new modern auditoriums have come up in Jammu University, Kashmir University and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. Besides, the state of the art Zorawar Auditorium, the Jammu University has put up a very modern School of Biotechnology. Bhaderwah campus of the University is functioning well. New buildings for this campus will soon be completed. Extensive construction work has been completed in the newly established Agricultural University at Jammu. The Agriculture University at Srinagar has established Krishi Vigyan Kendras in remote areas. The three recently established private Universities, Mata Vaishno Devi University at Katra, Baba Ghulam Shah University at Rajouri and Islamic University in Anantnag district, have been making good progress. One more private University, Shardapeeth University is likely to come up with the assistance of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board in cooperation with some NGOs.
General Sinha said that tourism is the main industry of Kashmir. 2007 saw an improvement in tourist arrivals in the Valley of both, domestic and foreign tourists, over 2006 figures. Approximately 4.5 lakh tourists came to the Valley besides little over 3 lakh pilgrims had ‘Darshan’ at the Amarnath Holy Cave. Last year we had a beautiful tulip garden in Srinagar which was a fest for the eyes. This year it is being greatly expanded and it will become the largest tulip garden in Asia. The aquarium at Bahu Fort in Jammu has become a major tourist attraction. There has been steady increase every year of pilgrims going to Mata Vaishno Devi with 72.62 lakh pilgrims paying their obeisance to the Mata, in 2007. This has been an all time high and the increasing curve is likely to continue. The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has now been working on providing infrastructure to cater for 1 crore pilgrims a year. We are also making efforts to get the road from Leh to Mansarovar opened for pilgrim traffic. This will have a great impact on the economy of Ladakh.
He said the most satisfying achievements in 2007 has been the completion of the Haj House in Srinagar, well ahead of schedule, providing all facilities for Haj pilgrims in one modern building complex. This is the only such building for Hajis, anywhere in the country. Improvement and beautification of the area around Hazratbal has been another very commendable achievement. A modern Yatri Nivas for Amarnath pilgrims with all facilities is under construction at Jammu. It is likely to be completed before the end of year’s Amarnath Yatra.
Earlier, the Governor unfurled the tricolur and inspected the parade. Contingents of 20 JAK Rifles, IRP 3rd Bn, one contingent each of the Army, BSF, CRPF, J&K Armed Police, Men and Women, J&K Police, J&K Firee & Emergency Service, J&K Forest Protection Force, Ex-Servicemen from J&K, NCC, J&K Sports Council, Civil Defence and boys and girls students of various schools participated in the march past. Flower petals were showered by the helicopters on the parade as the tricolour fluttered.
There was a grand display of brass and pipe-bands followed by a scintillating cultural programme and mass drill. The dare devils of police gave a heart throbbing display of bike riding.