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| Rajnath rules out sending formal invitation for talks to separatists | | |  Jehangir Rashid
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, June 7: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today ruled out any formal invitation to separatists for a dialogue with Government of India (GOI) saying that right minded people can always join for talks. He asked Pakistan to stop terrorism adding that New Delhi is ready to provide support in that respect.
The Home Minister remained non-committal about the extension of suspension of operations against militants in the state. He said so far no decision has been made in this regard adding that it would be decided once New Delhi receives feedback from the different security agencies and the state government.
Addressing a press conference here, the Home Minister said that GOI has already made it clear that it is ready to talk with different stakeholders in the state adding that government has nothing more to offer. He said the decision to suspend anti-militancy operations were suspended in Kashmir in order to give relief to the people of Kashmir during the holy month of Ramadan.
"In a dialogue process it is not necessary that all the parties are like minded. For a dialogue to start and be successful it is important that the participants are right minded. All the people who want peace and tranquility to return to Kashmir should come and join the dialogue process. I have already said that and we stand by it," said Singh.
The Home Minister said that he has arrived on a two day visit to review the overall security scenario after the announcement of suspension of operations by security forces in Kashmir. He expressed his satisfaction over the progress made with implementation of Prime Minister's Development Programme in the state and complimented the state government for the same.
"India is a fast growing economy in the world and various international ratings have substantiated the same. There are many forces that are jealous over our progress on the economic front. These forces want to destroy India but let me tell them you would never be successful in your ulterior motives," said Singh.
The Home Minister said that New Delhi wants to talk to all including Pakistan but for that the neighbouring country should stop supporting militancy. He said that Pakistan should evolve a mechanism to fight the terror elements that are exporting terrorism to the other parts including India.
"We are ready to talk to all including Pakistan but for that our neighbouring country should put brakes on terror elements. Pakistan has been saying that it is also a victim of terrorism. If that is the case then they should come forward and seek our help. We are ready to work with Pakistan in rooting out terrorism from that country," said Singh.
The Home Minister said that since GoI has appointed a special representative (Dineshwar Sharma) for Jammu & Kashmir various stakeholders in the state should talk to him for resolution of issues. He said ever since his appointment seven months ago the special representative has visited the state 11 times. He said the special representative is on a mission and he is not on fun visits to Jammu & Kashmir.
"I appeal all the people of Jammu & Kashmir to come forward and meet the special representative so that some solution is found to the issues confronting the people of the state. If that does not happen then I fear that yet another generation of Kashmir would be witness to the death and destruction," said Singh.
The Home Minister said that would defeat the designs of the people who want to create impediments in restoration of peace and order in the state especially Kashmir valley. He said that there are some elements that are misguiding the youth of the valley adding that double standards should not be adopted.
"There are people who are sending their wards for education and these people hand over stones to the youth of Kashmir. These people want the youth of Kashmir to play with stones and fire and the same is disastrous for the valley. The people need to be aware about the double standards of these elements as they don't peace to return to Kashmir," said Singh.
The Home Minister said that the government has decided to grant amnesty to first time offenders who are driven towards stone pelting due to innocence. He said that around 10,000 cases have been dropped against such youth adding that they would be given a chance to work towards development and peace.
Singh said that people who did not respect the suspension of operations during Ramadan can never be sympathizers of Kashmiris. He said that Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre is following the footsteps of party stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee while dealing with Kashmir.
"Atal ji said that Insaniyat (humanity), Jamhooriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat hold key to the solution of problems in Kashmir. Those who have taken up arms have no faith whatsoever in democracy and they can never be friends of Kashmiris. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Kashmiris need to be embraced and this is enough to suggest that we are sincere in solving the problems of Kashmiris," said Home Minister.
Highlighting measures towards strengthening of Police force, Singh said that about Rs. 174 crore have been sanctioned for renovation of police stations in the state. To acquire high-end security weaponry for the police force another Rs. 500 crore has been earmarked. The remuneration of SPOs has been increased from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 6000 per month. To generate more employment opportunities for the youth in the state, 5 more IRP battalions have been approved besides 2 women battalions, one each for Jammu and Srinagar.
The Home Minister said that the government is undertaking significant efforts to empower women by ensuring 33 percent reservation of women in the security forces. He while recognizing the talent among the youth of the state said that about 85 young gold medalists have brought laurels in the field of sports not only to the state but to the whole country showing exemplary performances at the international level.
Measures have been taken towards the improvement of sports infrastructure across the state which will prove to be a catalyst to further nurture the already existing talent pool, he said. Earlier during the day, Singh attended the sports conclave in Srinagar where more than 4,000 sportspersons and enthusiasts from all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh participated. |
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