The home minister, however, also asked people not to forget what the defence forces did for them during the Kashmir floods of September 2014 and said over 4,000 security personnel have been injured in protests and clashes.
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“The report will be out in three to four days and also an alternative to the pellet gun would be suggested”, said Singh.
Earlier, Singh indicated the government was finding an alternative to pellet guns as a method of crowd control.
As many as 66 persons, including two police personnel, have been killed and several thousand others injured in the clashes that began on July 9, a day after Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kokernag area of south Kashmir s Anantnag district. “In 2010 it was being said that pellet guns were non-lethal weapons and cause least injuries”. All I said was 95% people in the valley want peaceful resolution to the problem.
While the state’s chief minister state that they need to reach out to people who want peace, Rajnath Singh’s solution was to counsel children there.
“Mehbooba has no choice but to take action against such elements, who have been working in tandem with Pakistan to stoke violence in Kashmir”, a senior functionary of the ruling party who is privy to government’s plans on Kashmir said. Mehbooba said no solution can be found from stone pelting and attacking security camps.
Singh said that he met almost 300 people during his visit and that mostpeople don’t want violence.
“I appeal to everyone in Kashmir not to play with the future (generation) of the Valley”, he said.
The home minister’s second visit to the Valley hasn’t raised much hope of breakthrough with political analysts terming it as a “time-buying exercise”.
Mehbooba said the street protests in 2010 – where more than 100 people died – and the current unrest couldn’t be compared.
“The initiatives taken by the Centre and Rajnath Singh ji is not enough as Pakistan is constantly trying to misuse the situation and highlight the ongoing unrest in Kashmir at the worldwide forum”, he added while demanding that there should be a dialogue with all sections in the region.
In an oblique reference to separatist leaders, the Home Minister said people should “not play with the future of Kashmiri youth”. There was a fake encounter in Machil in which three civilians were killed. “We have information that they are exhibiting restraint”.
Mehbooba’s remarks came after a journalist asked her that people categorically want “Azadi” here.
Asked if he invited separatist leaders – who have been spearheading the agitation – for talks, Rajnath Singh said the government was ready to hold talks with anyone who believed in “insaniyat, jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat“.
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Uncharacteristic of her, ever since she made her foray in politics 20 years back, Mehbooba asserted that the youngsters who were hit by pellets, bullets or teargas shells had not gone to buy milk or toffees at an Army camp.
