Violence in Kashmir started after killing of Burhan Wani. 23 persons including a policeman were killed and more than 300 injured during clashes in valley so far, erupted after the death of Burhan Wani.
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Singh said that whatever has happened in Kashmir is sorrowful. “The elements who are glorifying these killings and playing politics over the graves of these poor youth never bother to look back at the plight of the victim families once things settle down”, she said.
Mr Singh ruled out the possibility of involving a third country in seeking a solution to the Kashmir issue, saying: “We don’t want third-party involvement to address the situation in Kashmir”.
The Government alone can not solve problems in Kashmir and all parties would have to work together, he said. “And I want to tell our jawans that they should refrain from using pellet guns”, he said.
The home minister, according to government sources, is expected to take forward the initiative on Kashmir, resolved at an all-party meeting by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday.
“These are highly abnormal times for the people of Jammu and Kashmir”. “They are not pak (pure) when it comes to Kashmir”, Rajnath added.
“We all feel sad over the lives lost and those injured”, Singh said.
Singh said the Centre does not want need-based relations but “emotional relations” with Kashmiris.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed security forces to maintain “maximum restraint”. They urged the Home Minister to appreciate ground realities and take all such measures which are in the interests of the state as a whole. “Government of India is clear on it”, the union minister said. Talking to newsmen before his return to New Delhi, Singh also asked Pakistan to “desist encouraging Kashmiri youth from taking up arms”. You had to storm the Lal Masjid to kill the terrorists. “This must stop”, he said.
Training guns at neighbouring Pakistan, the Indian Home Minister said there is no need of third power to restore the peace and calm in Kashmir. “Kashmir will be an abode of humanity”, he pledged.
A police spokesman said the situation throughout the Valley remained peaceful and under control.
Important local trade and industry bodies including the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) decided not to meet the Home Minister despite an invitation from him. “The chief minister knows them all”, he said.
The division bench said the government must also ensure everybody gets ration and other essential items.
Singh mentioned that health minister JP Nadda has been asked to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with the patients in New Delhi.
Singh will meet delegations of political parties tomorrow, in addition to central and state security agencies.
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Mehbooba Mufti was not present at Singh’s press conference.
