PM reviews progress of J&K projects

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would review the progress of developmental projects in Jammu and Kashmir before concluding his two-day visit to the state today, officials said.

"The prime minister would be given a power point presentation about the progress of development in selected areas like road connectivity, electricity, drinking water, education and employment," a senior official of the state government said in Srinagar.

Manmohan Singh, who arrived here on Monday and addressed the fifth convocation of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, would not hold any press conference before leaving the valley, officials clarified.

While the prime minister takes stock of development work in the state, his wife Gursharan Kaur would visit the Royal Spring golf course and the Nehru botanical garden, both situated on the banks of the Dal Lake in this picturesque summer capital of the state.

Amid a state-wide protest bandh against his visit, Singh on Monday said security forces have been "strictly instructed" to respect human rights, and pledged to remove deficiencies in implementation of the instructions.

"Sometimes innocent civilians suffer, but whenever such incidents happen it becomes necessary to act against those responsible. I'm aware of some complaints related to human rights," said the prime minister, addressing the convocation of the university.