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Don't meddle in internal affairs: Centre

Kashmir unrest: Home Minister says govt against need-based ties
Last Updated 24 July 2016, 19:42 IST

Warning Pakistan not to interfere in India’s internal affairs, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said New Delhi wants to have an emotional relationship with Jammu and Kashmir and not need-based.

“Government of India doesn’t just want need-based ties, but to build an emotional relationship with Kashmir,” he said while addressing a press conference here after winding up his two-day visit to violence hit Valley.

Training guns at neighbouring Pakistan, Rajnath said there is no need of third power to restore the peace and calm in Kashmir. “On one hand, Pakistan launches operation inside Lal Masjid against terrorists and on the other, it provokes Kashmiri youth to take up arms. Pakistan's role isn't paak (pure) in relation to Kashmir. They need to change their behaviour,” Rajnath said.

While reaching out to the people of Kashmir, he made a fervent appeal to them to help restore peace and normalcy. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concerned about Kashmir situation. I appeal to people to restore peace and normalcy,” he said.

On the use of pellet guns, which have maimed more than a hundred youth, Rajnath said: “We will constitute an expert committee to find out ways to use non-lethal weapons. The committee will submit report in two months.”

While extending his sympathies with the families of civilians killed in the unrest, the home minister, at the same time, said the Government of India will not tolerate terrorism.

He said that security forces have been asked to exercise maximum restraint.

Rajnath said that he has told Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to shift all injured to Delhi if they are not being treated well in Kashmir.

He said the decision with regard to talks would be taken only after the situation improves. “Let peace and normalcy restore. We will see with whom we will talk. I will then talk to the chief minister,” he said.

However, he maintained there was no way forward other than talks.

The home minister’s visit came amid street protests triggered by the July 8 killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani which has left 51 people dead and thousands injured.

Earlier, Rajnath visited the worst affected south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, where he met handful of activists affiliated with ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) at Dakbanglow.

Sources said the PDP and BJP activists were being ferried by political leaders in private vehicles from various areas while many police men in civvies were also part of the meeting.

However, no local MLA from any of the political parties was present during the meeting.
The meeting was closed door and no media was allowed inside.

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(Published 24 July 2016, 19:42 IST)

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