STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Ahead of the two-day visit of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to the Kashmir Valley, BJP today did not rule out talks with separatists and said it would do “whatever is necessary” to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Whatever is necessary for restoration of peace will be done,” BJP general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal said.
Lal was asked whether there will be talks with the separatists to end the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8, which has claimed 45 lives.
“The coalition of BJP and PDP was formed for peace and development of the state and we would ensure that there is peace and development,” he said.
Lal met party leaders and discussed various issues, including the prevailing situation in Kashmir. “Several issues concerning the party were discussed in the meetings and the feedback will be conveyed to the party leadership in Delhi,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh parried a direct reply to the question whether the government will hold talks with separatists to end unrest in Kashmir.
“Our priority is to bring normalcy in the valley, that is our priority and after that we will see…,” he said when asked whether the government will holds talks with the separatists.
Asked whether such talks would be held in future as the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ between BJP and PDP states that dialogue would be held with all the stakeholders including separatists, Singh said, “When the time will come, definitely.”
Asked whether the Home Minister would meet the separatists, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “I don’t think right now he is going to speak (to them), he is going to meet the people who want to meet him.”
The Deputy Chief Minister also dismissed the demand of an inquiry into the killing of Wani. “I don’t think there is a demand from PDP and the state government does not subscribe to the view (of holding an inquiry),” he said. The Union Home Minister will visit Kashmir for two days from tomorrow in a bid to calm down tension in the Valley. BJP State Chief, Sat Sharma also spoke in the press conference.
