‘Will uproot terrorism in J&K’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 7: Governor Satya Pal Malik today declared that the Government has decided to uproot terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir even as he called upon the mainstream political parties to exercise caution in their discourse.
Malik said: “The Government has decided that it will uproot terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. We have arrested 170 people, who support terrorist activities. We have also banned Jamat-e-Islami as they radicalize and mislead the youth”.
Calling upon the mainstream political parties to exercise caution in their discourse, the Governor said the fine line differentiating their discourse from discourse of separatists is fading.
“From the discourse of last two weeks, it appears as though mainstream political parties are standing in support of violence. It cannot be that you (the mainstream parties) take the benefits of democracy also get involved in activities that harm the nation. Then, they should not complain that why they are treated like the Hurriyat Conference and other separatists,” he said in an apparent reference towards NC and PDP.
Malik said today’s grenade blast in Jammu was a reaction by anti-national elements and terrorists as they are losing their grip. The Government, he added, has come down very heavily on such elements after Pulwama terror attack.
Meanwhile, Malik today convened a high level meeting at the Raj Bhavan this evening and reviewed the present law and order situation in the State in the aftermath of a grenade attack at Jammu Bus Stand.
The meeting was attended by K Vijay Kumar, Advisor to Governor, B V R Subrahmanyam Chief Secretary, Shaleen Kabra Principal Secretary Home, Dilbag Singh Director General of Police, B Srinivas, ADGP CID, Muneer Khan, ADGP Law and Order, Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu and M K Sinha, IGP Jammu.
The Governor lauded Tejinder Singh SSP Jammu, Amrit Pal Singh, SP North and their colleagues for swift action in apprehending the culprit.
Condemning the grenade attack, the Governor described it as a dastardly attack on innocent civilians. He said that this is an act of terrorism which is a reaction of anti national and terrorist elements in the State who are losing their grip fast.
Malik observed that the Government has come down hard on separatists since the Pulwama terrorist attack and has withdrawn security for the Hurriyat and 170 persons, banned Jamaat-e-Islami in J&K and has arrested all its leaders for engaging in unlawful activities.
He noted that facing imminent defeat, these anti national elements are targeting civilians and soft targets and described the act of throwing grenade on unsuspecting bus passengers as a cowardly attack by someone, who cannot challenge the security forces.
The Governor expressed concern that innocent youngsters are being led to believe that sacrificing their lives will lead to paradise which they are gullibly believing.
He remarked that the political parties which are coming out in support of banned organizations are making their position clear and are siding with separatists. This only helps militancy become stronger. He said that any party or person supporting separatists is anti national and is playing into the hands of terrorists and Pakistan.
Malik observed that the war against terrorism and militancy is not going to be stopped at any cost and this is a battle that we will win and Government will ensure that militancy is eradicated from the State.
Malik appealed to the people in the State to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood. He observed that the people of the State are known since times immemorial for upholding the values of mutual brotherhood and communal harmony.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
