Speaking at the end of a two-day visit to the restive region, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he was concerned about the violence and called on both sides to ease tensions. “Then, we will talk to whosoever we want”.
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When asked whether BJP led union government will take up Interlocutors’ report prepared by previous government, Rajnath said, “I have come to know about this report. It has been kept alive by the tremendous sacrifices, sufferings, hardships, humiliation and perseverance of the courageous people of the state over the past nine decades”, it said.
Kashmir Valley is reeling under severe curfew on fourteenth day with another civilian succumbing to injuries today morning at the capital Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital, taking the toll of deceased in the ongoing civil uprising to 45. Mr Singh accused Pakistan of encouraging terrorism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, and said: “Pakistan’s role is not pak (pure) in relation to Kashmir”.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti lashed out at Pakistan for instigating youths in Kashmir to take up arms, saying it has to change its policy, and asked the Centre to revoke the AFSPA on trial basis from selected areas, as a beginning towards “winning the hearts” of people.
“If there are differences of opinion those can be resolved through dialogue”.
Singh said he along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were anxious about the current state of affairs in the state and expressed his condolences to the victims of Kashmir violence.
He said he met at least 13 delegations during his stay in Srinagar and asked them “to help the government with constructive suggestions in bringing peace and normalcy”.
“Whatever we will do we will do that in consultations with the Jammu and Kashmir government”, he said.
The largest anti-India street protests in recent years in Kashmir erupted after Indian troops killed a popular, young rebel leader in a gunbattle on July 8.
He also rejected apprehensions of some members that terrorism was on rise in the valley as he reeled out figures to suggest that it had gone down with the security forces eliminating more militants. The Home Minister’s statement meant that in Kashmir it is not non-lethal weapon, the court said, adding the procedures have to be reasonable, fair and just.
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The MHA release said, on the first day of his visit to Srinagar, Singh met about 15 delegations including those of Sikh community, Kashmiri Pandits, youths, Tourism & Hospitality industry and entrepreneurs, besides several individuals.
