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"The situation arising out of killing of 22 Hindus by extremists in Jammu region and the action taken by the Government in regard thereto."

>THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI L.K. ADVANI): In three separate militancy related incidents, 20 people of a particular community were killed in the intervening night of l9th/20th February, l999.

The first incident took place at Baljalaran in Rajouri Police Station (District Rajouri). The militants attacked the house of a teacher around 2245 hours where a marriage ceremony had just concluded. They fired indiscriminately with automatic weapons, killing five persons on the spot. The members of the Village Defence Committee retaliated and the militants fled away from the spot. Ten persons were also injured in the said incident, out of which two later succumbed to their injuries making a total of persons killed seven.

SHRI L.K. ADVANI: Mr. Chairman Sir, first of all, in so far as militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, the Government of India is fully involved in the battle that is being waged against militancy. So, when we mention a constitutional fact that law and order and public order are State subjects, it does not mean, in the least, trying to adbicate the responsibility of the Government of India in so far as militancy in Jammu and Kashmir or, for that matter, in any part of the country is concerned. In every part of the country wherever we are faced with militancy, it has an implication not only on public order. In the border States, it has relevance even to national security.

So far as these particular incidents are concerned, the hon. Member pointed out that you need not have used this word and you withdrew it.

DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : I did not use it.

SHRI L.K. ADVANI: It was in the Calling Attention Notice (as framed). But I would say that we should understand that the militants have an objective and that objective is not merely to kill people and create a sense of fear, but if possible, to provoke communal disturbances in various parts of the country. Therefore, this is a matter of design that this has happened. It is not incidental that those killed belong to a certain community. As I have said, it is a design and that design has to be frustrated. So far as we are concerned, we are conscious that the world over, those who indulge in these terrorist activities think that there are certain occasions where if you do it, the focus of attention will be greater. Therefore, when an effort was being made by the Prime Minister of India to proceed to Lahore by bus, which is going to evoke the attention of the whole world and establish the credentials of this country in so far as bringing about normalcy in India and Pakistan is concerned, they might have thought as to why not use that occasion to spoil the atmosphere by this kind of a thing. So, there is little doubt that this was a calculated design and planned to be done on that very night. We had certain apprehensions and we warned the State Government, we alerted our security forces. But even then, in a remote part, these three incidents did occur. As I have said, immediately thereafter, the action was taken. Even otherwise, the action that is being taken has succeeded to a certain extent in quelling this situation. In this area, this is the first major incident after nearly five or six months. Six months ago something similar happened. Now, once again, it has happened. We are vigilant in this respect and we would continue to intensify our efforts at fighting militancy.It is a matter of gratification for the Government that, for the first time in many years, this year's Republic Day was observed throughout the State, in almost every tehsil place, every district place, without a single incident occurring anywhere. They used to be a target for them. We were able to do it. But at the same time, as I have said, we do not think that the militants who are indulging in it, whether within the country or from across the border, have abandoned their designs or objectives; those objectives are still there. Therefore, we are all the while vigilant, keeping the State Government as well as the security forces always on alert, and fighting them wherever it happens and providing the victims whatever relief is necessary.

I would like to add that the State Government also has been exerting in a very powerful manner. The coordinated effort on the part of the security forces, the paramilitary forces, and the Central Government has brought about the sea change in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY : Sir, hon. Home Minister did not touch in his reply the point raised regarding the Pakistan Prime Minister.

SHRI L.K. ADVANI: So far as we are concerned, as you have read in the papers also, the Prime Minister while talking to his counterpart in Pakistan drew attention to these killings in Rajouri and in Udhampur and said that if this continues, we cannot bring the situation to normal. That is all that I would like to say. So far as we are concerned, we drew attention to this fact.