Sangh bats for tough steps to wipe out terrorism in J&K

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 20

Even as BJP leadership avails every opportunity to praise its own government in J&K for taking effective steps in improving law and order situation, the top brass of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is not fully satisfied with the measures being taken to eradicate terrorism in the state.

Sangh leadership, in its ongoing apex body meeting, suggested some strong steps to wipe out terrorism and secessionism from the Valley and other parts of J&K.

Although All India Prachar Pramukh of the RSS Dr Manmohan Vaidya refused to divulge details of the discussions held on J&K on the concluding day of its meeting, he said the Sangh was of the view that terrorism should be dealt with an iron hand to establish lasting peace in the region.

“A detailed discussion was held on prevailing situation on J&K in the Prant Parcharak meeting. The Sangh leadership sought information about J&K,” he said, adding that the Sangh was against adopting any soft approach to deal with secessionism or terrorism.

Highly placed sources said in the presence of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, a full session was dedicated to J&K. BJP’s national general secretary Ram Madhav, RSS leaders Arun Kumar, Indresh Kumar, Prant Parcharak of J&K Ramesh Pappa and Sah Prant Parcharak Rupesh Kumar participated in the discussion.

“The apex body took a serious note of the attack on Amarnath pilgrims at Anantnag and observed that the J&K Government must formulate a comprehensive policy to deal with terrorism,” a source said, adding that the Sangh leadership was against initiating any dialogue process at this point of time.

Officially, Vaidya refused to take question on RSS’ demand on abrogation of Article 370 but the sources said in the meeting, the leadership reiterated its commitment for getting the provision abolished.