New Delhi: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act will not be withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir until the situation in the state is completely peaceful, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Sunday said.
"It cannot be withdrawn unless it (the state) is quite and calm," he told reporters here when asked when the government was planning to withdraw the controversial law from the state as demanded by various quarters.
Shinde said infiltration from across the border to Jammu and Kashmir has increased in recent times and security forces were keeping close eyes along the Indo-Pakistan border.
"Infiltration has increased. That is our information. We are worried. We are watchful in all sectors. We are very careful. But no untoward incident has happened as far as infiltration is concerned," he said.
Last week, the government told Parliament that till October 12, 111 people were apprehended along the border in Jammu and Kashmir while they were trying to infiltrate into India.
Government also said at least 90 Pakistani infiltrators entered India through the Indo-Pak border this year.
Sources said the abrupt jump in the number of Pakistani infiltrators -- from 63 in 2011 to 90 this year (till November 20) -- sent alarm bells ringing in the Home Ministry, which directed security agencies to intensify the vigil along the border.
Altogether 94 Pakistani infiltrators have entered into India in 2010 and 69 in 2009 through the Indo-Pak border.
Asked about the proposed visit of Hurriyat leaders to Pakistan, Shinde said initially seven to eight Hurriyat leaders showed willingness to visit that country but the number has reduced to two or three now.
"Still it is not confirm (how many will visit Pakistan)," he said.
PTI
