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Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 24: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in the internal matters of India and said it won’t tolerate terrorism at any cost. He appealed youth against resorting to stone pelting and asked security forces to exercise maximum possible restraint.
While addressing a news conference at the end of his two day visit to Kashmir to assess the situation, Singh said that India won’t tolerate terrorism from Pakistan at any cost. “As far as terrorism is concerned, Government of India won’t tolerate it at any cost. I want to tell my neighbour that you are itself a victim of terrorism, you went after terrorists in Lal Masjid and on the other hand you are appealing the youth of Kashmir to take to guns”, he said.
Singh asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in the internal matters of India and said its role is not Pak (pure). “Pakistan’s role isn’t ‘pak’ (pure) in relation to Kashmir. They need to change their behaviour. Haven’t said anything wrong, have just asked them (Pakistan) to refrain from interfering in internal matters of other country”, he said.
The Home Minister ruled out third party involvement to address the prevailing situation in Kashmir and said that his Government would resolve the grievances through dialogue.
“We don’t need a third party’s involvement to address the situation that prevails in Jammu and Kashmir. Want to reiterate that if anyone has any grievances, it can only be solved through dialogue. We will talk to whosoever needed, once peace and normalcy is restored in the State”, he said.
When asked about holding of talks with the separatists, Singh said: “Let us first ensure that normalcy returns. Then, we can decide whether we talk to separatists or any other group”.
Home Minister said that his Government wants relationship of emotional bond with people of Kashmir. “As far as the Centre is concerned, we are clear that we don’t not want a relationship with Kashmir that is based on necessities. We want a relationship that is based on emotional bonds,” he said.
Singh said the Prime Minister is concerned about the situation in Kashmir. “I am concerned about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the PM is also worried about the current state of affairs here”, he said. He added that the PM also wants the situation should improve. He said all steps were being taken to ensure a return of normalcy in Kashmir.
The Union Minister asked security forces to refrain from using pellet guns and said his Government is looking for its alternative. “I urge the youth of Kashmir not to engage in stone-pelting and also ask the security forces to refrain from using pellet guns against protesters as far as possible…I have told the security forces for maximum possible restraint…I was told by the delegations that by the use of pellet guns people have been injured. Some people have suffered eye injuries. I express sympathies with these injured. I had said in my speech in the Parliament that what could be the options for the use of non-lethal weapons. I will form an expert committee on this which will give its report in two months”, he said.
The Home Minister said 2228 personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, 1100 CRPF personnel and 2259 civilians have been injured in the violence in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani.
Singh said that he has assured Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, that if any injured needs to be treated in Delhi his Government will render the help. “I have spoken with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and assured her that any injured persons who are unable to get proper medical treatment here can be sent to Delhi for treatment. We will ensure they are treated at AIIMS,” he said.
Home Minister said that he has asked the Union Health Minister for a nodal officer in Health Ministry for arranging treatment of injured outside Kashmir. “Those injured who want to go outside for treatment, it will be arranged. Six people are already undergoing treatment in AIIMS”, he said.
The Minister said that he met over 30 delegations during his two day visit to Kashmir. “I took stock of the J&K situation. I have appealed for peace and normalcy. I have just returned from Anantnag and I met the delegation for one hour. I appealed people for peace”, he said.
Singh said that Centre will engage Kashmiri youth and for this recruitment process is already on. “Chief Minister was already concerned over the engagement of youth”, he said.
The Home Minister said that Government of India has taken certain decisions regarding Jammu and Kashmir and Chief Minister knows it.
Singh quoting the Ameer Khusru about Kashmir being paradise on earth said that everyone in India wants Kashmir should become paradise again. He said that the issue can’t be resolved in days and months but it will take time.
Home Minister appealed press and media to help in restoration of peace in Kashmir.
When asked was the excessive use of force in Kashmir due to his statement after killing of CRPF jawans in Kashmir last month, Singh said that his statement was about killing of soldiers on border. “On CRPF jawans killing in Pampore, I expressed concern and no statement was issued. It was regarding border when 5 soldiers were killed”, he said.
On revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from State, Singh said that on this issue Centre will talk to the State Government.
The Home Minister said that mobile services in Kashmir will be restored soon. “We will restore the mobile services soon…they should be restored soon, I have discussed it”, he said.
On use of excessive force by security forces in Kashmir, Singh said that it is these security forces who saved lives in 2014 floods in Kashmir.
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