Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday blamed Pakistan for “sponsoring terrorism” inside Kashmir, and said while New Delhi was prepared to hold a dialogue, “terror and talks” could not happen at the same time.
“India is not averse to talks. However, our condition is that Pakistan must stop promoting terrorism,” Mr. Singh told presspersons here. “Let them give assurance [in that direction]. Because terror and talks can’t go together,” he added.
The Minister arrived here to review the security situation in the State ahead of the panchayat polls. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to visit Pakistan and meet the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family was aimed at having good neighbourly relations. “However, Pakistan’s response was not very positive,” said Mr. Singh.
On internal dialogue, Mr. Singh, without naming the Hurriyat, said the Centre “will not shy away from holding talks with those willing to do so”. He added that “the interlocutor [Dineshwar Sharma] is mandated to hold talks.”
‘Situation improving’
Describing the situation in Kashmir as better than four months ago, Mr. Singh congratulated the security forces for ensuring ‘violence-free’ civic body polls. “
He termed the recent civic body polls as “fair and transparent” and a “historic step” in the devolution of powers in J&K. “Now onwards, a panchayat will be able to spend ₹60-₹70 lakh on its own,” he said.
He said vibrant democracy was India’s strength and would help resolve many issues of Kashmir. “I appeal to those who boycotted to participate in the panchayat polls and celebrate the carnival of democracy,” said Mr. Singh.
Besides meeting Governor Satya Pal Malik, the Minister also held meetings with National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti — both parties had boycotted the recent polls — and the Congress.
On the NC and PDP’s stand to boycott all coming polls till the Centre clarifies its stand on Article 35A, which grants special rights to J&K’s citizens, Mr. Singh said the Centre had not intervened or initiated any steps on such issues. “A non-issue has been made an issue,” said Mr. Singh.
A PDP spokesman said Ms. Mufti had stressed on the “resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan” during the meeting.
“Good relations with Pakistan have a positive impact on the ground situation, which automatically results in decline in alienation levels of people,” Ms. Mufti was cited as having told Mr. Singh.
The spokesman said the PDP leader had also underlined that “every civilian killing not only adds to the alienation level but also pushes the democratic and developmental process in the State to the back-burner”.
The NC, a spokesman said, “apprised the Home Minister about excessive use of force, cordon operations, mass arrests, intermittent media and Internet curbs, and rampant curfews”.
“Solution to Kashmir problem can only be achieved through a process of dialogue and the policy of looking at Kashmir issue through the prism of security will bring more misery to people. Dialogue with all stakeholders is the key,” the NC delegation told the visiting Union Minister.
Expressing his “heartfelt” condolence to the families of the Kulgam blast victims, he announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each for the seven civilians who lost their lives.
“The operation was over and security forces had withdrawn when the blast took place. It was unfortunate. I appeal to people to avoid visiting areas where operations are on. Security forces have also been directed to take all precautions,” he added.
Published - October 23, 2018 10:44 pm IST
