Few averse to normalcy in Valley: Jitendra

Jammu, February 19

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh today said “only a few people” were averse to normalisation of the situation in Kashmir while the majority was keen to be part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led development journey in the country.

“There are some elements in Kashmir who do not want the situation to get normal otherwise the youth of Valley have moved forward. Only a few people, whose politics runs in the chaotic situation, are out to maintain this situation,” the minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

He referred to the selection of 19 Kashmiri boys and girls in IITs across the country and some more emerging as toppers in the IAS examination over the past couple of years.

“The youth of Kashmir and the common man on the streets of Srinagar have moved ahead and are keen to become the part of the development journey led by Modi,” Jitendra said.

In response to a question about the recent spurt in terror attacks in the state, the MoS said the militants were on the back foot as they were facing the heat because of the anti-militancy operations by the security forces.

About Pakistan, he said it had been left isolated diplomatically and militarily for sponsoring terror activities.

Jitendra refused to comment on the repeated pleas by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti pitching for a dialogue with Pakistan and said, “I am not qualified to respond to that. It is for the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence to decide. I am not privy to the inputs which qualify me to respond to whether we have talks (with Pakistan) or not.”

On repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan to push infiltrators into the state, he said: “The question is not what Pakistan is doing but the question is what we have to do. The response we are giving (to Pakistan) is not seen in the last many years.”

He said the Centre was “very supportive” to Jammu and Kashmir and “we have to get ready to seek investment and for that we have to attract investors with incentives”.

“The support J&K is enjoying under the leadership of Modi has no match. We have to make the situation conducive so that the investors get attracted to invest here which will boost the local business, besides provide an opportunity to youngsters to start their own businesses,” he said.

When asked whether Article 370 was a hurdle for the investors to move into the state, he said, “I do not want to get into that.” — PTI