NEW DELHL-The governor of Kashmir G C Saxena Friday said elections in his state were being deferred as two major political parties — the Congress-I and National Conference — were not confident of pulling up genuine candidates because of the prevalent “fear psychosis”. Addressing the foreign correspondents association here he said the situation in Punjab and Assam was on a different footing as both the states had political parties which were in a Position to put up serious candidates. He said according to government estimates the total number of trained militants in the state was about 10000 of these 3000 were still in Pakistan and over 3000 were operating in the valley Rest of the militants had received only preliminary training in subversion and handling of arms he said. ; i Saxena said the 3000 militants still in Pakistan would attempt to cross over to this side of border with heavy arms after having received better training. He said in Jammu and Kashmir it was not a civil unrest “it is a proxy way”.
The governor said the violence by militants had been reduced to manageable proportions and over 220 militants had so far surrendered with arms.
The governor said the election could be held only if political elements m the state agreed to participate
Saxena said 50 soldiers and officers of para military forces were suspended for excesses during the last 15 months and criminal cases had also been registered against them
He said the security forces recovered 1700 AK-47 riffs one thousand pistols 150 rocket Launcher’s one thousand anti “personnel mines the last 15 months.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 19, 1991
