Against the backof a raging controversy over alleged fake encounters in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today gave an assurance that government will "act" to ensure that security forces respect the rights of civilians while tackling terrorism.

"I am aware of some complaints related to human rights. On this issue, the government policy is to protect the human rights of the people even when dealing with terrorism. The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been strictly instructed to respect the rights of the civilians. We will act to remove any deficiency in the implementation of these instructions," he said in his convocation address at the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

The Prime Minister's assurance comes in the context of allegations of a fake encounter in Machil area along the Line of Control where three civilians were killed reportedly by Army men. An Army jawan has been arrested, a Major has been suspended and a Colonel has been removed from Command duty in this connection.