Rajnath guns for peace

Ehsan Fazili

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 24

Expressing grief over the killing of civilians, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today appealed to all sections to work towards restoring peace in the Valley through “constructive suggestions”. He was addressing a press conference at the end of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir during which he met more than 30 delegations.

He also met Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and visited Anantnag, which has witnessed fresh trouble in the past two weeks. In a memorandum to the Home Minister, the Opposition National Conference asked the Centre to initiate a sustained dialogue with Pakistan as well as separatist groups to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution to the problem.

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While reaching out to the Kashmiris, Rajnath ruled out third party mediation. “We don’t want just need-based ties, but wish to build an emotional relationship with Kashmir. Disputes, if any, can be sorted out through dialogue. There is no other alternative,” he said.

Reiterating that terrorism would not be tolerated, he blamed Pakistan for fomenting trouble in the Valley. He  asked the  neighbouring country to change its approach towards Kashmir.

Rajnath appealed to the people not to indulge in stone-pelting. He said the security forces had been told not to use pellet guns, unless absolutely necessary. Expressing sympathies with those with pellet injuries, he said an expert committee had been constituted to suggest an alternative to pellet guns. The committee was expected to submit its report within two weeks.

The Home Minister said 2,228 policemen, 1,100 CRPF personnel and 2,259 civilians had been injured in the recent clashes in the Valley. He said the injured who needed special treatment could be flown to New Delhi. The government planned to launch a recruitment drive for the Kashmiri youth, he added.

Mehbooba: Revoke AFSPA 

Srinagar: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti  lashed out at Pakistan for instigating youths in Kashmir to take up arms and asked the Centre to revoke AFSPA in selected areas on a trial basis as a step towards "winning the hearts" of the people. The Chief Minister said there was a need to take "bold measures to address the issue as the people of Jammu and Kashmir are our own". She said there was an opportunity not just for the  country but for Pakistan as well to have a dialogue and address the issue. — PTI

We don’t just want need-based ties, but wish to build an emotional relationship with Kashmir. Disputes, if any, can be sorted out through dialogue. Rajnath Singh, union home minister

There is a need to take bold measures to address issue as the people of J&K are our own. Revoke AFSPA in selected areas on a trial basis to win hearts. Mehbooba Mufti, j&k chief minister