SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday said that the peace process between India and Pakistan would not get derailed by militancy.

He said the lowest number of human rights violations in the State was recorded in 2006. Replying to a discussion on human rights in the Legislative Council, Mr. Azad said during the last three-and-a-half years of coalition rule, the peace process had progressed enormously. "All these changes took place in the backdrop of hostilities between two countries after the Kargil War," he said, asking members not to give up on the peace process. He said one should not read much in the language of foreign ministers. "It is obvious that when 200 people are being killed in Mumbai one cannot appreciate that country wherefrom the terrorism originates."

Referring to the start of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakot bus services, two meetings of the roundtable conference, constitution of working groups and plans for renewal of trade, Mr. Azad said they were "landmark developments."

"We can be ready for starting trade in one month and we have received a list of 52 traders from PoK from the Pakistan Government," he added.

Refuting theories that the situation in the State was grim, Mr. Azad said that it was being blown out of proportion. "There was some increase in incidents but it has improved a lot over a period of time. If you compare 2006 with 2002 there is great difference." Mr. Azad said there were 15 complaints of custodial disappearance from 2003 to 2006 and 26 custodial killings during the same period, while the number during National Conference rule from 1996 to 2002 was 60 and 67 respectively. This year there was one complaint of disappearance and two custody killings.

At the same time, action was also being initiated against security force and police personnel for violating human rights. So far action had been taken against 209 personnel, of whom 28 were gazetted officers. Mr. Azad also dismissed the allegations levelled by the State Human Rights Chairman who resigned on July 31.

Earlier, in an emotional intervention during question hour, Mr. Azad asked legislators to shun double standards in highlighting human rights violations. "You are being protected because militants are after you and not the Army," he said. "Militants had killed 20,000 innocent civilians, who are condemning militant violence."

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