Rajnath in Kashmir; holds talks with political leaders NC, Cong delegations seek end to pellet guns

STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: As part of Centre’s outreach, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday visited a restive Kashmir for the second time in a month and held talks with political leaders during which he was told the Centre should initiate a dialogue with all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to problems in Jammu and Kashmir.
The visit of Singh, who before leaving for Srinagar, said he will hold talks with all stakeholders and that those who believe in ‘Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat’ are welcome, came on a day when fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in Pulwama district in which one youth was killed. The death toll in the unrest in Kashmir Valley that broke out on July 8 has now climbed to 66.
Amid tight security, Singh, who is in a two-day visit, drove through the tense city roads dotted with para-military forces who ensured he did not have to face any protesters.
Immediately upon his arrival at the Nehru Guest House here, Singh, accompanied by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other officials, held a meeting with different wings of administration including security, health and maintenance of essential commodities for the people.
Official sources said Singh asked head of para-military forces, dealing with the law and order situation, to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with protesters and also appreciated their efforts in maintaining law and order in the Valley.
The Home Minister was conveyed that there has been improvement in situation on the ground, there is no scarcity of essential commodities and health services are functioning, they said.
This is Singh’s second visit to the state ever since the unrest in Kashmir Valley broke out 47 days ago when Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed on July 8.
The Home Minister’s visit is an effort by the central government to restore normalcy in the Valley, which has been reeling under curfew and restrictions since trouble started.
After the review meeting, the Home Minister had separate meetings with heads of para-military forces and state police chief for understanding their working conditions and also to enquire whether there was an operational requirement.
Later, a delegation of opposition National Conference led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met the Home Minister and urged him to immediately ban use of pellet guns as a crowd control means in Kashmir.
“They also demanded that Centre initiate a dialogue with all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to find a lasting solution to the problems faced by the state,” sources said.
The NC hoped that the visit will lead to a meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders.
A delegation of senior party functionaries of J&K Pradesh Congress Committee led by JKPCC Chief G.A Mir also met the Union Home Minister and apprised him about the extremely turbulent situation prevailing for last 46 days in the Valley.
Among other things, the Congress delegation, discussed at length with the Home Minister the current unrest in the Valley.
The delegation apprised the HM about the rising anger among the people in the backdrop of loss of precious lives and injuries to thousands of people. The delegation also sought immediate ban on Pellet and other types of lethal weapons being used to control protests.
The delegation underlined the need to restore the lost trust and confidence of people, as there was a deep sense of alienation among the people due to the unabated incidents of killings and grievous injuries during the protests erupted across the Valley. The delegation urged the Home Minister to order a time bound probe into the killings and excesses committed on people.

BJP asks Mehbooba to act tough
NEW DELHI: BJP wants the Mehbooba Mufti government to act tough against those taking the lead in organising violent protests in Kashmir, asserting that it will have to deal firmly with radical elements to end the ongoing unrest.
A senior party leader said Chief Minister Mehbooba seemed not to be too firm in cracking down on such elements because the hub of their activities is in south Kashmir, considered a PDP stronghold, and maintained the Centre has conveyed to her its views regarding the same.
“Mehbooba has no choice but to go after them. The government has identified over 80 overground workers responsible for organising violent protests and playing a lead role in uniting stone pelters,” he said.
BJP is in the ruling alliance with PDP in the state.
Commenting on Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s current visit to the Valley, he said his second visit is meant to give right signals to the civil society that the Centre is sincere in restoring peace.
Asked if there would be attempts by the Centre to engage with separatists, he said the government would not reach out to them but its doors are open to anyone who is willing to talk to it.
He said the government is making efforts to bring an end to unrest, which has resulted in continuous 47th day of restrictions on the movement of people in the Valley, and added that there could be relaxation in curfew in the coming days.
Talking to media here, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said a number of groups have expressed their desire to call on the Home Minister. Whoever is interested can come and talk, he said.