— Photo: Nissar Ahmed

REVIEWING SECURITY: Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta with Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Gopal Sharma in Srinagar on Thursday.

SRINAGAR: Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said here on Thursday that the security situation was improving in Jammu and Kashmir, but there was no scope for complacency in view of violent incidents.

The Union Government was very serious about implementing the recommendations of the working groups on Jammu and Kashmir, set up by Prime Minister in May, he pointed out.

Mr. Gupta, who was a two-day visit here along with an eight-member official team, was addressing a news conference.

"We have to be careful and watchful and see what further measures can be taken," he said.

On demands for reduction of troops in the State, he said a panel, formed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was looking into the issue.

He did not comment on withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Mr. Gupta said the recommendations of the working groups were presented at the third Round Table in New Delhi on April 24. "We have had detailed discussions and are developing an action plan."

The initiative taken by Dr. Singh was multifaceted. "There is an economic as well as social element in it, and that is why I have people from five Ministries with me," he said.

Mr. Gupta met the Governor, Lieutenant General (retd.) S.K. Sinha, and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

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