Date:04/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/04/stories/2007050401371300.htm

National

``Demilitarisation not possible in a border State''

Special Correspondent

S.K Sinha

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Lt. Gen. (retd.) S.K. Sinha on Thursday ruled out demilitarisation in the State saying that it was not possible in a border State and this can be true with Punjab and Rajasthan as well.

He said that Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf's four point formula can be discussed but with reservations.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day seminar on "Consolidation of Peace," organised jointly by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Delhi based Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, Mr. Sinha said that the prospects of peace are today much better than ever before.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel but we are not out of the tunnel," he said adding that there was no question of being complacent and "we cannot lower our guard."

Mr Sinha said "withdrawal of security forces from certain areas of the State can reverse the gains achieved during the last 18 years, for which the security forces had made heavy sacrifices."

He said Gen. Musharraf's four point formula can be discussed and there is no need for us to reject that.

Director-General of Police Gopal Sharma said there was decline in violence and "the trend is going on."