Minority living in fear in Doda, Kishtwar , says Nirmal Singh

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 18

A day after briefing Governor Satya Pal Malik about the “worsening” security scenario in Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts, former Speaker Nirmal Singh on Thursday said fear psychosis had gripped the minority community in the belt as fresh recruitment of the terror groups was going on unabated.

“What to say of remote and far-flung areas of Kishtwar and Doda districts, there are reports of recruitment of terrorists in otherwise peaceful areas like Batote,” Nirmal Singh told The Tribune, adding that fear-stricken residents of Batote had brought the matter to the notice of the police, but nothing concrete had been done so far.

Giving details of his meeting with the Governor in which Adviser (Home) Vijay Kumar and DGP Dilbag Singh were also present, Nirmal Singh said “substantial evidence” had been handed over to the top brass about regrouping of terror outfits and fear among the minority community.

“After killing three prominent leaders of the Sangh Parivar in Kishtwar district along with one personal security officer (PSO), terror groups have prepared a list of 26 leaders in the region to execute their nefarious design of exodus of the minority community,” he said, adding, “Instead of providing adequate security to the leaders, the authorities have rather withdrawn PSOs provided to them”.

Nirmal Singh pointed out that as a part of deep-rooted conspiracy to terrorise minority community, a vicious campaign had been started to disband village defence committees (VDCs) which had played a vital role in reviving confidence among terror victims. “We informed the Governor that any attempt to disband the VDCs would prove to be counter-productive and it would help in reviving terrorism in the region”.

“Encroachment on forest land by a section of society was also brought to the notice of the Governor and DGP, who assured effective steps to counter it,” he said.

During his meeting with Malik, Nirmal Singh was accompanied by former MLAs from Doda and Bhaderwah Shakti Parihar and Daleep Parihar, respectively.