Monday, November 28 2005 19:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Stressing that the overall level of violence in Jammu and Kashmir was 22 per cent lower compared to last year, the Government today (Nov 28, 2005) said the recent escalation of militant violence was due to the political transition in the state.

Making a statement in Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Home, Sriprakash Jaiswal, said the political changeover in the state has been usually accompanied by a spurt in violent incidents.

"A similar trend was seen when the previous Government (headed by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed) had assumed office in November 2002. Terrorists had carried out 10 major attacks, including the suicide attack on Raghunath Temple between November 2002 to January 2003," he said.

"Another reason for the escalation in demonstrative violence is that the terrorists outfits wish to prove that despite the recent earthquake, their striking capabilities and their resolve to terrorise stand undiminished," he said.

"Funding of terrorist organisations from the other side of the border also continues," Jaiswal said, adding, "Infiltration continues in a calibrated manner."

He said the recent attacks from militants also came at a time when the entire Government machinery was engaged in providing succor to the victims of earthquake.

The Minister said there was a significant increase in the tourists inflow to the valley this year and till October as many as 5,33,211 people had visited the state as compared to 3,03,109 of them last year.