In Kashmir, Rajnath Singh says there will soon be alternative to pellet guns

Do not question our understanding of the situation, we are trying to find a solution, said the Home Minister.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review the security situation, held talks with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday and assured that there will soon be an alternative to pellet guns.

After the meeting, the two jointly addressed media on Kashmir unrest. Singh said he was extremely saddened by the situation in Kashmir and appealed to the locals to not play with the future of the Kashmir's youth.

“I have said it before also, youth in Kashmir should have pens, books and computers in their hands, not stones. Children are children, if they pick up stones, they must be counselled. We have to identify those elements that are trying to mislead some of our youth in Kashmir,” said Singh.

“About 300 people from various background have met me since yesterday. Without the future of Kashmir, the future of India cannot exist,” added Singh.

Singh said more than 4000 security personnel are injured in protests and clashes. People should not to forget the role they played during floods in Kashmir.

“We have asked security personnel to observe maximum restrain and will soon give an alternative to pellet guns soon. People should not forget what defence forces did for them during Kashmir floods,” said Singh.

Singh said the Centre wants to bring all-party delegation to Kashmir and have asked Mehbooba Mufti to make arrangements for it.

“Do not question our understanding of the situation, we are trying to find a solution,” said the Home Minister.

On meeting separatists, Singh said, “We are ready to meet anyone in the ambit of humanity, Kashmiriyat and democracy.”

Mehbooba Mufti said that no solution can be found by stone pelting and attacking security camps. “95 per cent people want peaceful solution through dialogue, only five per cent derailing the process,” said Mufti.

Mufti said whatever happened in 2010, there was a reason. There was a fake encounter and people were angry. But what is happening now is totally different. Don't compare 2010 and 2016.

“Youngsters of the Valley are being used by some elements as shields to attack Army camps, they want our children to suffer,” asserted Mufti.

Meanwhile, as Home Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with political leaders in Kashmir, Congress pitched for dialogue with non-state political parties and all stakeholders, including students.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said no one from the government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have appealed for peace in Kashmir which has been on boil for more than a month now.

-"We hope that Home Minister not only talks with political parties, there are others as well, non-state political parties and other stakeholders. He should hold talks with students, trade unions and different communities. There should be peace.”

-"He should appeal for peace as well. I have never seen any minister or the Prime Minister appeal for peace, neither inside or outside Parliament nor in Kashmir. Least they can do is to appeal,-" Azad said.

Meanwhile, JD(U) said the key question was how much effort would the Home Minister invest in taking forward what he talked about. -"I am happy that the Home Minister has finally understood that there is a need to begin a political engagement with Jammu and Kashmir. The key question here is how much effort will he invest in taking forward what he has said.

-"What is the kind of engagement that would be planned, so that the current impasse and sense of alienation, particularly amongst the youth, and the current involvement of Pakistan in Kashmir can be stemmed. We need to carefully watch the next step that this government takes,-" party leader Pawan Verma said.

As part of Centre's outreach, the Home Minister yesterday visited 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 faced by the state.

The death toll in the unrest in Kashmir Valley that broke out on July 8 after killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani has now climbed to 68. (This article first appeared in Deccan Chronicle)