Talks possible but without any conditions
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 30: In a clear indication of more tough action against Kashmiri separatists, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said today that the Centre Government won’t interfere if the National Investigating Agency (NIA) wants to arrest more of them in connection with the ongoing probe in terror funding and hawala operation in the Kashmir valley in which eight separatists and couple of businessmen have already been arrested by the NIA and Enforcement Directorate.
In an interview to CNN TV tonight, Mehrishi, who had remained closely associated in tackling militancy, border situation, terror funding and hawala operations in Jammu and Kashmir, asserted that “good and fair job” done by the NIA has caused dent to funding of terrorists and stone pelters in the Kashmir valley, leading to a turnaround in the situation.
“Funding of terrorists and stone pelters has been impacted by the NIA raids on separatists and others in the Kashmir valley. Their funds have been choked. This has led to improvement in the situation”, the Union Home Secretary, who will relinquish charge of the post tomorrow, said. Rajiv Gauba, a senior IAS officer, has already been named as his successor.
Mehrishi said: “hopefully, we will be able to track more people, who were getting funds through hawala means or other illegal sources. Investigations in this regard are going on very positively”.
Sources said the statement by the Union Home Secretary that the Centre won’t interfere if the NIA wants to arrest the Hurriyat Conference leaders and that some more persons getting funds through illegal means were on the radar, were indication that the NIA could go for more arrests and action in the terror funding and hawala operations in the Kashmir valley.
The NIA has thrice questioned hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s two sons-Naseem Geelani and Nayeem Geelani in connection with the assets acquired by their family as the investigators believed that hawala funds might have been used to acquire some of the property.
To a question on cross-border trade in Jammu and Kashmir, both on Poonch-Rawlakote and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes, Mehrishi said there had been incidents of “under invoicing and over invoicing” in the trade but that part is under investigations of the NIA.
“Everything pertaining to cross-LoC trade is under investigations,” he added.
It may be mentioned here that the NIA has recommended to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to stop cross-LoC trade as on the ground that part of funds generated from it were being used in funding terrorism and stone pelting to create unrest in the Kashmir valley. Cross-LoC trade and travel on Poonch-Rawlakote route remained suspended for past eight weeks but it was going on through Uri-Muzaffarabad route in Kashmir.
“The probe conducted by the NIA into the terror funding to Kashmiri separatists has its desired impact and it has been reflected in the activities of separatists and stone throwers,” the Home Secretary said, adding that the agency was carrying out a “free and fair” investigation and it will be taken into its logical conclusion.
“Action will be taken against all those who are found guilty as per law,” he added.
PTI adds from New Delhi: Talks with separatists in Jammu and Kashmir are a possibility but these have to take place without any conditions, Rajiv Mehrishi said today.
On the possibility of talks with the separatists, he said Home Minister Rajnath Singh has made it clear “many, many times” that the Central Government was open for dialogue in Kashmir.
“We want to talk,” he said.
“I don’t think that any talks can take place with pre- conditions,” Mehrishi said in an interview while replying to a question on whether the Centre was inclined to hold talks with the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir without any conditions.
He said there was “no doubt” that Pakistan has been sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir through various ways including funding militants.
“Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism, Pakistan is ensuring infiltration to Kashmir and Pakistan is funding terrorism in Kashmir,” he said.
Asked about the alleged alienation of Kashmiri youths, Mehrishi said alienation is a “concept of Delhi media” and the real issue for Kashmir is terrorism and radicalization.
“Radicalization and terrorism are the main issues, which we are dealing with. As one Chief Minister had said 95 per cent people in Kashmir want peace. The youths in Kashmir have the same aspiration, like any youth in rest of India, of good education, good job and a good life,” he said.
Asked about the recent stand-off between Indian and Chinese forces in Dokalam and Ladakh, the Home Secretary said the Indo Tibetan Border Police, which comes under the Home Ministry, is not deployed in Dokalam but in Ladakh only.
“But stand-off like situation in Ladakh keep happening. There was no extra ordinary situation,” he said.
Mehrishi said the Government’s top law officer will help the Supreme Court with regard to the legal aspects of Article 35A of the Constitution under which special rights and privileges are granted to the “permanent residents” of the State.
“There are 4-5 cases on 35A in the Supreme Court. These are only legal issues. The Attorney General will help the Supreme Court,” Mehrishi said.
The Supreme Court last month had asked the Centre to file a reply to a writ petition filed by an NGO seeking that Article 35A be struck down.
Mehrishi said fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, key accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, is in Pakistan and that country is creating hurdles in getting him back to India to face the law here.
Mehrishi said the Government is taking all required action so that Ibrahim could be brought back to India.
“Dawood Ibrahim is in Pakistan. That country has given him shelter. That country is also putting hurdles in bringing him back to India to face the law,” he said.
The Home Secretary said the “attitude” of Pakistan was not in conformity with international law and it is working against India in Ibrahim’s case.
“Whatever action is required, we are taking. We will get him. The process is on. But the attitude of the Pakistan Government is not in conformity with the international law. Pakistan is working against India. The legal process is on. We will get him at an opportune time,” he said.
Ibrahim is the main accused in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case in Mumbai in which around 260 people were killed, and more than 700 were injured.
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