Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on his two-day visit, asserted that there is no future of India without the future of Kashmir.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today held a joint press conference in Srinagar to discuss security situation in the state.
Singh, on his two-day visit, asserted that there is no future of India without the future of Kashmir.
“We see future of Kashmiri children with that of Indian children…Children are children. We can never think of Kashmir future in separation from the future of India. India’s future is not possible without Kashmir’s future,” he said.
Promising to find an alternative to pellet guns, Singh said that experts committee constituted to look for an alternative to pellet guns would present its report within two to three days.
“Within few days we will give an alternative to the pellet guns. We feel there should be alternative of it,” he added.
Don’t Question Centre’s Role
Talking to media, Singh said that the security personnel have been asked to exercise maximum restraint in the valley. He went also said that media should not question Centre’s understanding of the Kashmir situation.
He noted that security and safety of any Kashmiri youth was a responsibility of every Indian and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in regular touch with him over Kashmir.
The Home Minsiter also announced that a nodal officer will be appointed to look into complaints of Kashmiri youngsters studying outside. He also said that the Centre Armed Forces will have one battalion from Kashmir and State government will also recruit 10,000 Special Police Officers.
While alluding to separatists, Rajnath Singh said he has no hesitation in talking to anyone under the ambit of humanity, democracy and Kashmiriyat.
During his second visit to the valley since the unrest broke out, Singh said that he met 300 people including the ones having different ideology. He said all those who met him during his two-day visit were keen for the return of peace and normalcy.
“We are sad about the situation in the valley and that is why before coming here I had tweeted that I am ready to talk to anyone under humanity, democracy and Kashmiriyat. Whenever any Kashmiri youth or security forces personnel is being killed, we feel pain. Pain is not being felt in Kashmir only but everywhere in India,” he said.
Don’t Mix 2010 With Present Crises
Apart from meeting delegations from almost every political party, Singh also met heads of para-military forces and the state police chief to understand their working conditions and operational requirements.
Singh further informed the Chief Minister that an All Party Delegation would be coming to Kashmir and preparations should be made for that.
In the same conference, Mehbooba Mufti claimed that only 5 per cent Kashmiris were involved in the violence, while 95 per cent want peaceful solution through dialogue with the stakeholders.
Responding over her government’s different stand over killings of youngsters in 2010 and 2016, Mufti said that both the situations were different and should not be mixed.
“Encounters happen. We imposed curfew. People came out on the roads. Did a child to go to buy a toffee from the army camp, was 15-year-old boy fetching milk when he attacked a police station in Damhal Hanji Pora. Don’t mix 2010 with present crises. That time people had reason to protest and this time boys were killed when they attacked security installations,” Mehbooba said in charged tone.
