“I appealed to people of Anantnag also to maintain calm and help in restoring peace and normalcy”, he said.
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At the same, he insisted that there was no need to involve “a third power” in Jammu and Kashmir. “Every issue can be resolved after sitting together and talking mutually”, he said.
The NC had boycotted an all-party meeting convened here on Thursday by Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, to deliberate on the situation on the premise the PDP-BJP government is grappling in dark and “non serious” on the crisis. “We are sure that we will succeed in improving the condition in Kashmir”, he had said.
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), one of the largest trade bodies in the valley, said the meeting would be futile because if the Government of India is keen to resolve the Kashmir dispute, it should instead hold talks with Pakistan and political representatives of the state.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed security forces to maintain “maximum restraint”. “This should stop”, he said, asserting that the government will not tolerate terrorism in any form.
Tarigami, who represents a constituency in the worst-hit south Kashmir region, said he told Rajnath Singh that the “people of Kashmir believe that they have been ignored time and again and whatever promises have been made have not been fulfilled”. “But on the other hand, you appeal to Kashmiri youth to take up arms”, he said. Which was a clear dig at the neighbouring country Pakistan.
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. “Kashmir will be an abode of humanity”, he pledged.
To a question on whether there will be any talks with separatists, Singh said, “Let normalcy and peace be restored first”. He said six people are already getting treatment there. “I don’t want to get into details (on these measures)”. The committee will submit its report within two months. He urged security forces to avoid using pellet guns that have blinded several protesters. “Government will make sure that they are treated at AIIMS”, he further added.
Singh mentioned that health minister JP Nadda has been asked to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with the patients in New Delhi. “I will then talk to Chief Minister”, he said. “Everyone needs to partake in the responsibility of making the situation better”, Singh said. For the last leg of his visit, he flew to Anantnag.
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It is pertinent to mention here, Rajnath Singh addressed the presser at 5 PM at Arjun Lounge, Srinagar Airport. Local newspapers in Kashmir were back on the stands yesterday after five days, after CM Mehbooba Mufti expressed regret over restrictions on media.
