J&K leader calls for action against ultras

Taking advantage of the winter, terrorist outfits were replenishing their ranks and amassing arms and ammunition, particularly in Doda, Rajouri, Poonch and Kargil areas, the BJP leader said in a statement here. Gupta, who represents the Doda constituency which has seen a series of terrorist incidents during the past few months, said the pro-active policy had yielded good results and follow-up action should be taken to consolidate the gains of the last ten months, during which terrorists were on the run.

He said infiltration was continuing and demandedraising of battalions of BSF, by recruiting local people who were familiar with the topography of the border. This would help in checking infiltration and smuggling of arms, he added.

Gupta lashed out at the Farooq Abdullah Govt for “its failure to provide political input to restore peace in the State.” He said armed forces had only a limited role to play in controlling militancy. It is for the civil administration to reach out to people, in order to wean them away from terrorists.

The State administration was “totally paralysed” and people were afraid of moving around, he said, adding that this had created a “big gap” between the people and the administration.

Rampant corruption at the political and administrative levels had further alienated the people, who were drawn towards militancy due to the “neglect and callousness” of the administration, he alleged.