good governance. The Commission, accordingly, strongly recommends that such a dialogue between pblicy makers, the security forces and human rights proponents be sustained, for it can also contribute greatly to clarity of thought and action and thus serve the greater interest of strengthening our free and democratic polity of which, fifty years after Independence, we have reason in many respects to be justly proud. In so far as any worthwhile sirategy to combat insurgency and terrorism requires strong citizen support, the Commission further recommends that such dialogue be undertaken, in particular, in those parts of the country that have been most afflicted by such devslopments. The Commission appreciated, in this connection, the seminar organised by the Assarn Human Rights Commission in February 1997 where such issues were discussed. Earlier, given the gtobal implications of this subject, the Commission, working with Bangalore University, had itself organized a seminar on Human ~ightsand Terrorism in August 1996, which was addressed by the Prime Minister and attended, among others, by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and two Members of the United Nations Committee on Human Rights, set up under the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 3 . 1 In recent months there has been a major intensification of efforts, at the highest levels of Government, to advance political solutions to the problems of areas facing insurgency and terrorism. The Commission greatly welcomes such initiatives. Since insurgencies do not arise over-night, but are often related to the quality of governance over a period of years and are the result of long-standing grievances stemming from historical, economic, social or cultural causes, the Commission is gratified to see the enhanced efforts being made to address such perceived grievances. It recommends that such efforts be sustained, as a matter of the highest priority, for on them depend not only the promotion and protection of human rights - an end that is important'in itself - but the well-being and integrity of the nation. 3.12 The'Commission has noted that various recommendations made by it in the past, in respect of the manner in which the security forces should function when called upon to assist the civilian administration, have received the consideration of Government and that appropriate instructions have been issued. It has also noted that, in the past year, no instance has been brought to its attention alleging the excessive u'se of force of the kind and scale that marked the tragic incident in Bijbehara i n 1993. This !cads the Commission to the view that the security forces are making a conscious and serious effort to exercise restraint and that their constant training and instruction - with an emphasis on the need to protect human rights - is beginning to have a positive effect. Nevertheless, the Commission has continued to receive complaints alleging violations