Chidambaram compliments security forces for 'peaceful summer' in Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi, Sep 15(ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram today complimented the Jammu and Kashmir police and the Central Armed Police Forces for adopting a completely new strategy and successfully dealing with the incidents of stone pelting in the state.

"This summer has, by and large, been peaceful in Jammu and Kashmir. Three sets of numbers tell the story most vividly: the Amarnath Yatra attracted 635,000 yatris and concluded peacefully; over 630,000 tourists have visited the State so far; and the Vaishnodevi Shrine has been visited so far by 73,22,470 pilgrims," Chidambaram said while inaugurating the three-day DGPs/IGPs conference organized by the Intelligence Bureau in New Delhi.

"I urge all State police forces to revise their standard operating procedures to deal with civil disturbances. The use of non-lethal methods to control unarmed civilian protestors must become the new standard operating procedure," he added.

He also highlighted the "remarkable improvement" in the north-eastern states due to large presence of security forces.

"Last year, I referred to the appointment of two interlocutors to talk to various groups in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. I am happy to report further progress. We have ceasefire agreements with both NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K). We have Suspension of Operation agreements with NDFB, UPDS, DHD, ANVC, KNO, UPF and, more recently, with ULFA," the Home Minister said.

"The commencement of formal talks with NSCN(IM) and ULFA has been enthusiastically welcomed by the people. Some splinter groups and some smaller groups are still holding out and refusing to accept the offer of talks. In Manipur, a united front of seven Meiti underground groups has been formed."

"Therefore, a large presence of security forces in the north-eastern states is a necessity to deal with both the threat of violence and the cases of extortion. While we are happy with the decline in the level of violence, we can be satisfied only if the ongoing talks with different groups lead to the disbanding of armed cadres and honourable political agreements," he added. (ANI)