Jammu: Welcoming Center's directions to security forces in Jammu and Kashmir to adopt a more "humane" approach, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said his Government hoped the message would percolate down the line so that "the Bandipora incident is not repeated".

"Everybody is shocked at the unfortunate incident at Bandipora and we had taken up the matter with the Army as well," Sayeed said addressing the joint Legislature Party meeting of coalition partners of the State legislature last evening (Feb 15, 2004).

"The Army chief has already assured us that civilians would not be used as porters during operations. The coalition Government is committed to protection of human rights and has taken steps to ensure that innocents are not harmed while dealing with militancy," he said.

At a meeting of top officials of Army, para-military forces and State police, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani had asked the forces on February 14, to "ensure" that "collateral damage" during anti-terrorist operations in the State were minimised and Human Rights respected.

Making a specific mention of several bold initiatives taken by the coalition Government during its 15-month rule, the Chief Minister said these have generated a new atmosphere of hope for peace.

He said the dialogue process has taken off with the APHC (All Party Hurriyat Conference) and added, "Even those who are now outside the realm of dialogue are likely to join it as the process progresses."