Riyaz ul Khaliq
SRINAGAR
Government of India Sunday ruled out any kind of dialogue until and unless “peace and normalcy is restored in Kashmir”.
Winding up his two-day trip to curfewed Kashmir that witnessed 51 civilian killings in last 16 days, union home minister, Rajnath Singh, while “regretting” the loss of innocent lives said, “our government, PM is concerned about Kashmir situation but let peace and normalcy be restored only then we will talk about it (dialogue).”
Singh, who air-toured south Kashmir and met some injured youth in Islamabad district said, “I met more 30 delegations since I landed in Srinagar yesterday.” When asked whether GoI will apologize to victim families, he said, “we have expressed regret.”
Appealing people for “peace”, he asked his forces to “help in normalising the situation”.
“We want to build emotional relationship with Kashmir not ones based on necessities,” he told a press conference at Srinagar International Airport before flying to New Delhi at 6pm.
Rejecting any third power intervention in solving Kashmir problem, he said, “GoI is clear on it.”
Singh, who was accompanied by his Home Secretary and Joint Secretary, asked Pakistan “not to interfere in Kashmir”.
“Pakistan should change its mind about Kashmir,” he said in response to a question. “It is itself affected by terrorism.”
“Pakistan is killing militants inside its own territory but is asking Kashmir youth to take up guns,” he said, “we won’t tolerate militancy in any way. Kashmir will be abode of humanity.”
Welcoming “constructive suggestions”, Singh said, “all problems can be solved only through dialogue. There is no other way.”
When asked whether GoI will initiate any dialogue process with separatists, Singh maintained, “peace and normalcy is pre-requisite.”
He added that only then GoI will talk by taking J&K CM in to confidence. “J&K CM will suggest us whom to talk.”
“If there are any internal differences, they can be resolved only by talks,” he said. Notably, the Hurriyat conference had presented six-point confidence building measures as the prerequisite for any dialogue. The measures include accepting the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir, rapid demilitarization process of population centers, repeal of draconian laws like AFSPA and Public Safety Act, release of political prisoners and others.
When asked whether BJP led union government will take up Interlocutors’ report prepared by previous government, Rajnath said, “I have come to know about this report. I will check about it and will see about its progress.”
The then Congress led UPA government in Delhi had sent a three-member Interlocutors to Kashmir in during mass civil uprising in Kashmir in 2010. However, there has been no discussion or any implementation about it since then.
Maintaining that former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was still BJP ideologue, Rajnath Singh in response to another query said, “Vajpayee Ji is our ideologue; let normalcy be restored, Aagaye agagyae dekhtay jayen (watch what happens next).”
Notably, AB Vajpayee in 2004, as NDA PM, extended hand of friendship with Pakistan from Srinagar and was vital in starting cross India-Pakistan bus services and other things. His slogan of ‘Insaaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat’, has been a major factors used by PDP in forming alliance with BJP in J&K.
On the issue of 8-point agenda to solve Kashmir problem given by his predecessor P Chidambaram, Rajnath Singh said, “I will see the suggestions.”
On the issue of removal of AFSPA from Kashmir, he said, “it will happen when state governments and all other agencies decide it.”
As Kashmir is witnessing complete ban on private mobile network, Singh said, “ye (restoring cell phone network) jaldi ho raha hai; I have talked about it.”
Rajnath Singh met all unionist parties and politicians but Congress, which boycotted the meeting. Kashmir based almost all major trade and other bodies stayed back from meeting Home Minister.
On Sunday, he met Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti along with her cabinet and before it, Omar Abdullah led National Conference put forth its memorandum to GoI. Singh discussed Kashmir situation with Governor N N Vohra on Saturday late evening.
While reciting Amir-e-Khusrao’s “If there is paradise on earth – It is This (Kashmir)…”, Singh said, “the delegations complained me about pellet gun and the injuries inflicted by it. I recall my parliament speech that we will form an expert committee which will review use of pellets and report will be submitted in two months.”
Expressing sympathies with injured persons in forces action, he said, “those who can’t be cured in Kashmir will be flown to Delhi for special treatment in AIIMS.”
“Union Health Minister has been informed about it and a nodal officer will designated who will ensure that they are cured,” he said, “if need be, we will arrange a special flight to airlift these injured persons to Delhi.”
The home minister claimed that 2228 forces personnel were injured since July 09 mass uprising. “Similarly, 2259 civilians were injured in forces action,” he added.
He said that currently 6 youths are being treated in AIIMS New Delhi. However, an official spokesperson of J&K government on Saturday said that four injured persons have been airlifted to Delhi for treatment in AIIMS. “One more didn’t accept the offer,” the spokesperson had said.
“I appeal to youths not to pelt stones and I have asked forces exercise restrain to stop use of pellet guns to maximum level,” he said.
Singh said that GoI has taken decisions as how to engage Kashmiri youth and “CM is in know-how of it”.
“Process was going on and we will take up recruitment processes again,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here, Rajnath Singh addressed the presser at 5 PM at Arjun Lounge, Srinagar Airport. However, on way to the airport, the media men and other officials had to stop the vehicle cavalcade at Bypass as youths were protesting against civilian killings at Hyderpora.
(As only government accredited journalists were allowed to attend the press conference, this report was prepared while watching the press conference live on NDTV.)
