New Delhi: Observing the infiltration level from Pakistan had dropped by 60 per cent, Home Minister Shivraj Patil today (Dec 7, 2004) said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had improved considerably with the number of violent incidents and killings on the decline this year.

"The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved. Infiltration has come down by 60 per cent. Daily average incidents, which were 11 in 2002 and nine in 2003, have dropped to six this year," he said in Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

Maintaining that the Government was willing to talk to any group in JK or the North-East which abjured violence, Patil said the policy was to bring them to the mainstream, usher in development, ensure social justice, correct any excesses if they have been committed by security forces and take a view on any law which the people felt was draconian.

Observing the Centre was committed to carry forward dialogue with all groups and different shades of opinion in JK, he said "if anyone is not willing to talk to us now, we will talk to them whenever it is convenient for them." He was hinting at a section of Hurriyat leaders.

When PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) MP Mehbooba Mufti asked whether the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government had promised Hurriyat leaders that they would be allowed to visit Pakistan before the third round of talks, Patil said there was no objection for allowing anyone from visiting Pakistan. But they should apply in a proper manner and "we shall certainly consider it and take a decision."

Patil said talks were held by the then Home Minister and Government's interlocutor with a cross-section of people in JK including elected representatives, political party leaders, representatives of trade, industry, socio-cultural groups, intellectuals and voluntary agencies.