PTI, UNI
Hindu
May 1 , 1999
Title: 'ISI attempting demographic changes' Author: PTI, UNI Publication: Hindu Date: May 1 , 1999 Pakistan's Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) is at-tempting to make demographic changes in Rajouri and Poonch areas of jammu region by purchasing land belonging to minority community through overground workers, the State Director General of Police (DGP) Mr. Gurbachan Jagat, has said. This is being done to force migration of the minority community and alter the demographic character of Jammu region, Mr. Jagat said while delivering a lecture on "status of militancy and role of State police in tackling it", organised by the Institute of Public Opinion here yesterday. The modus operandi of the militants involved flushing the area with partly fake, partly genuine currency and forcing people to sell their land in Rajouri and Poonch areas. The two districts had become the new hot spots of militancy with a huge influx of militants from across the border as their designs had been defeated in the valley and to some extent in Doda also, lie said. The DGP said the problem of militancy in the State could not be viewed in isolation as some ISI agents were also active in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Mumbai. "It would be wrong to call it an indirect war. It is a direct war by Pakistan," he said, adding this fact was established by the presence of regular Pakistani soldiers in the State. The DGP told reporters today that over 100 security pickets were being set up all along the border in the State to check infiltration from Pakistan. Infiltration from across the border was still going on and it could increase in the coming months he said. About 800 village defence committee members, 6,000 special police officers and 1,200 ex-servicemen, were being appointed in the Doda area, he added. Mr. Jagat said police had intensified its activities in far off places such as Arnas, Gool, Gulabarh, Surrankote, Budhal, Doda and Kupwara. The overall improvement in the law and order situation had resulted in the increase of tourist inflow into the State. He said that during the last four months, in all 276 militants had been killed by security forces. In 1977, 1998, and 1999, the police had succeeded in eliminating 541 militants. During this period, 477 police / security personnel also lost their life during the different, operations. The DGP said the police had also registered a remarkable success in recovering arms and ammunition from militants.
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