*Govt ready to address all problems within ambit of Constitution
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 12: In major counter-offensive against Pakistan, which also indicates more aggression in India’s foreign policy towards its hostile neighbour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today declared that henceforth the Centre would now officially focus on Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) including its liberation from Pakistan, which is the only unfinished agenda between India and Pakistan.
Winding up four-hour long All Party Meeting (APM) on Kashmir at Parliament House this afternoon, Modi declared PoJK as in integral part of India and called upon the External Affairs Ministry, headed by Sushma Swaraj, to get information from PoJK people and Baluchistan in Pakistan about worst human rights conditions prevailing there from the people of two regions living abroad and inform it to the world to expose Pakistan at the international level.
“The PoJK people in the foreign countries should be mobilized to liberate it,’’ he said reiterating that PoJK is an integral part of India and fourth region of Jammu and Kashmir apart from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The PoJK includes Gilgit, whose some areas Pakistan has illegally handed over to China.
The Prime Minister’s offensive on Pakistan was evident when he started his statement to the All Party Meeting saying “whenever we talk on Jammu and Kashmir, we must talk about all four parts of J&K including Jammu, Kashmir valley, Ladakh and PoJK.
Saying that Pakistan has been using fighter planes for bombardment on its own citizens, Modi said the time has now come when Pakistan has to explain to the world the atrocities it was committing on the people of PoK and Baluchistan.
Modi’s massive counter offensive against Pakistan came during his concluding remarks at the All Party Meeting (APM) in the Parliament House, New Delhi, in which he directly took on Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharief, who had tried to meddle into internal affairs of India with his provocative remarks on the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani followed by Kashmir unrest.
The All Party Meeting presided over by Modi was attended by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Malikaarjun Kharge, Dr Karan Singh, Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Mir Mohammad Fayaz (PDP), Mulayam Singh Yadav and Krishan Gopal Yadav (SP), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Satish Chander Mishra (BSP), Praful Patel (NCP), Sitaram Yechury (CPM) and D Raja (CPI) among others. National Conference has no presence in Parliament and, therefore, it was unable to make it to the All Party Meeting.
“Time has come to expose Pakistan before the world on the atrocities it was committing on the people of PoK and Baluchistan. The External Affairs Ministry should gather facts from the people of PoK living in different parts of the world and expose them, before the international community,’’ the Prime Minister said.
At the same time, he said the people of Jammu and Kashmir whether they are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists, who are living in other States, should also establish contact with the people and explain development of Jammu and Kashmir to them.
Declaring that there will be no compromise on security of the country, Modi said that India is committed to fight terrorism with full force, which is national responsibility of the country.
“We are committed to rule of law even while dealing with terrorism. To consider it as weakness of India will be big mistake of the foreign powers. We are determined to end the terrorism and for that, the means and ends are both important for us,’’ he said.
Asserting that India was fully committed to give basic rights to the people, the Prime Minister pointed out that even against terrorism, India has ‘humane laws’, which no other country has. “Our Governments and our security forces have shown utmost restraint while meeting with such cases’’.
Modi said the ousting of Kashmiri Pandits from their houses in the Kashmir was the handiwork of militants, who have been trained and provided weapons by Pakistan and their sympathizers. “The people who believe in Kashmiriyat can never commit such an act,’’ he added.
“The root cause of violence in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism, which mainly is encouraged by the neighbouring country,’’ he said without naming Pakistan, adding that due to terrorism, normal life has been badly hit in Kashmir.
Saying that there can be no compromise on integrity, the Prime Minister said the Government was ready to address the problems of all sections within the ambit of the Constitution of India.
Lauding Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti led PDP-BJP coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir for doing its best to address grievances of the people, Modi patted the Government for handling the situation with utmost responsibility in the past one month despite very tough conditions. He said entire country is standing behind the State Government.
The Prime Minister said he want to reiterate that both Centre and State Governments are committed to address all genuine grievances of the people in Jammu and Kashmir and restore normalcy, but at the same time it would deal very sternly with terrorism, violence and all other kind of anti-national activities. He sent out a clear message to the people of Kashmir that their genuine problems will not only be listened but solved.
Calling for united fight against terrorists, who have been aided and abetted by the neighbour, Modi stressed that all political parties and the countrymen will have to unite to fight the scourge of terrorism, which has been spreading its tentacles in the entire world. He said the Government has been anticipating support and cooperation of all political parties.
Modi said his Government was open and its doors are also open for peaceful and permanent solution to Kashmir problem under basic principles of the Constitution. For solution, the Government will pursue the policy of Atal Behari Vajpayee.
Referring to massive turnout during recent polling in Anantnag seat, which Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti won, the Prime Minister said it was total lie to call Kashmir unrest as “people’s movement’’. The people of Kashmir want peace and believe in democracy and number of those creating trouble and misleading the youth was very less, he added.
Referring to imposition of restrictions in the Valley, the Prime Minister said it was a legal step taken to maintain law and order. In fact, he added the restrictions were causing less inconvenience to the people as compared to the hartal calendars issued by the separatists. He lauded the security forces for maintaining restraint despite suffering many injuries.
“The political parties should shun their differences and cooperate in maintaining peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. I have the firm hope and commitment that normalcy would soon be restored to Kashmir with the support of one and all,’’ Modi asserted.
Maintaining that it was responsibility of the Government to keep law and order and security situation intact, he said there can be no compromise on terrorism.
“We will encourage civil society with civilian activities as per the established democratic norms. The political process will be taken forward as per the democratic traditions and youths of Jammu and Kashmir will be involved in active economic activities,’’ he said.
Referring to Rs 80,000 crores worth package given to Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said the package was not confined to power and road projects but would take care of good education for children, employment facilities, better healthcare, encouraging tourism and boost fruit production.
Asserting that he was saddened by recent developments in Kashmir, he regretted that the children were unable to go to the schools, the apple was not reaching fruit markers, the shopkeepers were unable to earn and the Government staff was unable to initiate pro-people measures. The poor people were worst affected, he said.
Expressing sympathies with the kin of security forces and civilians killed in the Valley, he said the Government was committed to better medicare to the injured and restoration of peace in the Valley.
Modi also referred to successful Amarnath yatra, solar energy projects in Ladakh, and conduct of various examinations
During the marathon four-hour-long meeting, which comes in the wake of continued unrest in Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on July 8, some opposition parties asked the Government to take a few immediate confidence-building measures like putting an end to the use of pellet guns and relaxing AFSPA in some parts of the Valley.
It was also suggested that an All-Party Delegation should visit Kashmir to assess the situation but the Government did not make commitments regarding any of their demands. In fact, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, sending a delegation to Kashmir at this stage was not on agenda of All Party Meeting as they were in touch with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and take a decision (on the delegation) once the groundwork is done.
The PDP said the concern shown for Jammu and Kashmir at the meeting was “noteworthy” but it should be followed by confidence building measures to set off the democratic political process.
Some opposition parties demanded that an All Party Delegation be sent to Kashmir.
But, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was flanked by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at a news conference, said before sending such a team, the State Government has to undertake some ground work.
“Once State Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti informs me that the ground work has been done, we will consider sending it,” Singh said.
Asked whether any decision had been taken on curbing the use of pellet guns which has triggered an outrage, both Singh and Jaitley said an expert committee has already been formed by the Home Ministry and once a report is filed, a decision will be taken.
“We have to see the security implication as well as an alternative option. The pellet guns have been used in 2010 also. It’s getting highlighted this time only,” Jaitley said.
Jaitley said all the political parties spoke in one voice and came out and put forth their views in right intent.
Asked about the take away from the meeting, Jaitley said all parties are on the same opinion and the national approach is broadly consensual and there was no laxity in the Government’s policy on Kashmir.
“Consensus is there will be no compromise on terror or with separatism. Security alertness will be utmost and using this as the base, we will try and ensure that normalcy returns so that as far as average citizen is concerned, life returns to normal,” he said.
Jaitley added that there will be no lowering of guard as far as security is concerned, but security forces will act with restraint.
“Terrorism and violence will be dealt with effectively. As far as the life and comfort of people of ordinary people is concerned, we shall try and ensure that life is brought to normal as far as their circumstances are concerned,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who was the first speaker at the meeting, said it is for the Government of India to come up with a roadmap for defusing the situation.
“We assure the Government that any positive step to resolve the issue in Kashmir, they’ll have our full co- operation”, Dr Singh said, adding that during the 10 years of UPA, efforts were made to find “practical & pragmatic” solution to these issues.
Jaitley, during the press conference, was asked about the difference in the situation in Kashmir today and in 2010, and he said there are new trends as has been witnessed world over and various speakers at the meeting gave their own analysis and assessment.
“Between 2010 and 2016 the change taking place world over, I think ideologically that also has a role to play in the Valley,” he said.
Jaitley, however, said the dialogue with mainstream parties is already on and did not specify a date when it will be started with other stakeholders.
To another question on the policy to be adopted on Kashmir in bringing normalcy, the Finance Minister said: “there is no separate Central or State Governments policy on Kashmir. It is a Central policy. This Government will decide on its policy as per the situation.”
Rajnath earlier said the exercise on the Rs 80,000 crore economic package for the State is already underway and some amount has already been sent to the State and the rest will be given after clearance by the Finance Ministry soon.
He also said that recruitment of 10,000 Special Police Officers in the State was on besides raising a battalion of Central Armed Police Force and five India Reserve battalions.
Addressing the All Party Meeting, Minister of State in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, who represents Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, advocated two-pronged approach to deal with situation in Kashmir. First, he said there should be no compromise on terrorism, which had to be dealt with sternly regardless of their affiliation and region and secondly, the youth and children being exploited for stone pelting has to be segregated from the militants and the vested interests.
“The vested interests, who were exploiting the children, should be isolated and punished,’’ Dr Singh said.
He said the situation has to be fought like low caste proxy war.
“The counter narrative has to be introduced to highlight human rights violations in PoJK and exposing the separatists, who are misguiding the youth,’’ Dr Jitendra said.
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