Around 200 militants still active in Jammu & Kashmir: Kiren Rijiju

The number of militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir has decreased considerably since 1995 and currently around 200 are active in the state, Lok Sabha was informed today.  "There were approximately 6,800 militants of different 'tanzeems' active during 1996 in the state which, however, has got reduced to 240 and 199 in 2013 and 2014 (January) respectively," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in reply to a written question.

The Minister said there is no proposal to withdraw the security forces from Jammu and Kashmir and deployment of security forces at any point of time is decided on basis of the review of the threat perception at the highest operational levels in the Central and state governments. Replying to another question, Rijiju said there are various schemes under implementation in Jammu and Kashmir which provide for direct and indirect employment, including border area development programme.

The Minister said the existing recruitment scheme of constable provides for filling of 60 per cent vacancies which are allotted amongst states, Union Territories on the basis of the population ratio, 20 per cent of vacancies in the border guarding forces are alloted to border districts which fall within the responsibility of the force. Rijiju said a proposal has been received from Jammu and Kashmir government for increasing the honorarium of Special Police Officers from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per month which is under examination.