The Hindu : 'A sign of frustration'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 23, 2002

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National

'A sign of frustration'

By Our Staff Reporter

JAMMU DEC. 22. The Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, said today that the increase in killings of innocent civilians in Jammu and Kahsmir was a sign of frustration on the part of terrorists.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Sharma said, "The recent spate in the killings of innocent civilians, including women and children, are a clear sign that the terrorists fear that they are losing ground on account of the popular polices of the new Government. We took initiatives which were appreciated not only within the country but all over the world."

Stressing the need to continue with the "healing touch" policy, he said,

"The new Government enjoys the support of everyone in the country and also the main national party, the Congress. Therefore, we do not need any lesson in patriotism".

On the allegation that the new Government was "soft" on militancy, Mr. Sharma said: "The killing of the PDP legislator, Abdul Aziz Mir, should give a clear message to our critics that it is we who can give the militants a run for their money and suffer consequences for it.

Besides taking them on militarily, we want to fight them on the political as well as the ideological front".

On strengthening the security grid in the State, he said, "Jammu and Kashmir is a huge Stat e ... We have limited forces at our command and we have to work under those limitations.

``But, obviously, a security review will be done soon".

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