NEW DELHI: Though the situation going by the Indian viewpoint in certain parts of Jammu and Kashmir has shown some improvement because of the concentrated deployment of security forces, the intelligence agencies have warned against complacency.

Limits latest assessment of the situation in the valley, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has said the situation had improved “slightly” in certain areas of downtown Srinagar and other towns because of heavy deployment of security forces and the continuing divide between certain pro Independence and pro Pakistani militant organizations.

“The increased vigil on the border especially in and around villages near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), has considerably hampered the movement of trained militants. This has had some effect on their activities in the valley. The inaccessibility of some of the passes in the higher reaches because of heavy reaches because of heavy snow has also prevented the militants from replenishing their dwindling stocks of arms and ammunition,

“The IB, however, has warmed that this situation is at best temporary and suggested that the authorities take this opportunity to consolidate this meager gain by involving. this meager gain by involving the people in day today affairs of the areas and also to instill a sense of security among them.

According to highly placed sources, it had been found over the last four years that the people by and large found over the last four years that the people by and large were against violence and wanted peace. But at the same time they were forced to collaborate with the militants for fear of their lives. The IB, during the last few months, has quoted 2 number of residents of downtown areas of some of the important cities in Jammu and Kashmir as having expressed a keen desire to restore peace and normalcy there as this was having a telling effect on the local economy.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 10, 1992