‘PM take on J&K may aggravate ground situation’

SRINAGAR: There have been mixed reactions in Jammu and Kashmir to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge that the state will use its military might and capabilities to eradicate “terrorism” from the state and once again make it a place of peace and serenity.

Mr Modi had during his day-long visit of the state on Sunday said that he would like to assure the people of entire country that “we will fight terrorists with full might. Every terrorist will be given a jaw breaking reply”. He also said that India by conducting successful surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in September 2016 conveyed to the entire world what its strategy and actions would be like to fight the menace of terrorism and violence.

Some local analysts termed Mr Modi announcement of using the iron fist against the separatist militants in the state as “negation of ground reality” and said it will instead of resolving the issues aggravate the ground situation and may even take it to the point of no return.

Separatist parties too have expressed similar views and criticised Mr Modi for using “threatening language” while speaking at a function in Srinagar on Sunday. However, the BJP justified the Prime Minister’s assertions and said “violence and talks can’t go together” and that those who have chosen the path of violence must be dealt with severely.

Senior BJP leader Narinder Singh Raina said, “Terrorists and militants don’t deserve an olive branch unless they shun the path of violence. They are attacking security forces and killing innocent civilians and need to be dealt with severely”.