Title: Made a statement on the incidents of killings by the militants in Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh on 3rd August, 1998.
20.56 hrs
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI L.K. ADVANI): Sir, a shocking report has been received today from Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh. Two tragic incidents of killings of innocent civilians by suspected Pakistan-sponsored militants have occurred here last night.
Information has been received from the Police of Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh that 26 persons have been killed and eight injured in Kalaban area under Police Station Tissa of Chamba District. It is reported that this barbaric act was committed by some militants in the early hours today at about 3 a.m. The Kalaban area is adjacent to Bhadarwa area of Doda District. The J&K Police have despatched a policy party to the scene. The SP and the Additional SP, Chamba have left for Kalaban and the DGP, Himachal Pradesh also has left Shimla enroute for the site. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh also has reached the site.
In another incident at about 1.30 a.m. this morning, five persons were killed and three injured in village Satrindi, District Chamba. This area also is close to Kishtwar Tehsil of District Doda in Jammu and Kashmir. In this case also, the hand of Pakistan-sponsored terrorists is suspected.
The Special Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs in charge of Jammu and Kashmir Affairs and the DG, CRPF, are proceeding to the spot tomorrow morning. The authorities of the two States — Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir — have been asked to act in concert and to take firm measures to deal with the elements who have targeted innocent persons in such a brutal manner.
I am sure the august House would join me in expressing grief at these killings and in condemning those who committed these outrageous acts.
I have also seen to it that certain additional companies of forces are sent to the affected areas. I have contacted the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. We have spoken to the Chief Minister who is now outside the country. All that is needed to be done in this matter will be done. This is the fourth incident in succession that has come to us. We have spoken to the Chief Minister of Punjab in order that certain battalions of the Punjab Armed Forces can be sent to Himachal Pradesh immediately. All necessary steps are being taken continuously right since this afternoon when I first received the report. We have been following up this episode because it is not a small episode, particularly because now another State, Himachal Pradesh, has been affected. Two or three years back also incidents had happened in the same area. When we were focussing attention on the militants in Doda, at that time also in our meetings, we were apprehensive that they would immediately cross over to the adjacent area.
21.00 hrs.
Himachal Pradesh may be affected. So, at that time also we have asked the Director-General of Police in Jammu and Kashmir and the Director-General of Police in Himachal Pradesh to get in touch with each other so that all necessary precautions can be taken. But even so, these villages, isolated hamlets have become soft targets and this is what happened today. श्री मोहन रावले : ऐसे कितने दिन हम सुनते रहेंगे?
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MR. SPEAKER: No.
The House stands adjourned to meet tomorrow the 4th August, 1998 at 11 a.m.
21.01 hrs
The Lok Sabha then adjourned till Eleven of the Clock on
Tuesday, August 4, 1998/Shravana 13, 1920 (Saka).
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