PM was anxious about Kashmir: RajnathThe home minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was overseas when protests broke out in Kashmir, but he was constantly in touch with officials regarding the situation in the valley.
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Other business lobbies including Kashmir Economic Alliance and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry also refused to be part of the dialogue in protest against the deaths of some 45 Kashmiris and injuries to thousands in clashes with security forces following the July 8 killing of Hizbul militant commander Burhan Wani. Talking to newsmen before his return to New Delhi, Singh also asked Pakistan to “desist encouraging Kashmiri youth from taking up arms”.
“This should stop…. Pakistani’s role is not “pak” (pious) on Kashmir. They must change their attitude and mindset vis-a-vis Jammu and Kashmir?”. He also asked the security forces deployed in the Kashmir Valley to refrain from using pellet guns against protestors as far as possible.
The meeting called for involving “all the stakeholders” – largely seen as engaging with separatist leadership and Pakistan – to resolve the problems of Jammu and Kashmir and its people. “I am very concerned at the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and our prime minister is also very concerned over it”.
Asking people to give their “constructive suggestions” to bring peace in the state, he said, “There is no need of any third force to improve the situation in Kashmir”.
Hurriyet leaders and traders’ union refused to meet Singh and stated that they met the Indian Home Minister multiple times before but the meetings proved to be unproductive.
He is slated to meet meet Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti later on Sunday. “This statement should be sufficient for the (state) government to discontinue the use of pellet guns”, the high court said here while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Initiating the debate on Wednesday, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said over the last two years, since the BJP government came to power at the Centre, the situation in the valley has “deteriorated” and has become “disappointing”. “Whoever I met, I appealed to them to help in restoration of normalcy”.
The government asked all parties to keep all options open, Singh said when asked if the government was ready to talk to the Hurriyat.
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“If there is any disagreement, it can be resolved through mutual dialogue”, Singh told reporters at Technical Airport before flying off to Delhi after concluding his two-day visit to Srinagar. Local newspapers in Kashmir were back on the stands yesterday after five days, after CM Mehbooba Mufti expressed regret over restrictions on media.
