Modi's plan: fix security, restore normalcy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertions at an all-party meeting on Kashmir on Friday was to underscore the Centre’s two-pronged approach for normalcy to return to the Valley, his aides said.

One, there will be no lowering of guard as far as security is concerned. Terrorism and violence will have to be dealt effectively. Two, at the same time, steps will also be initiated to win the confidence of the people, officials said.

The new policy will involve engaging different sections in the Valley, but decision to call separatists and the Hurriyat for talks is not an immediate possibility as the government will go by the prevailing situation.

Modi wanted Home Minister Rajnath Singh to impress upon all Opposition leaders that the situation was aggravated not just by police action, but by a systematic plan by Pakistan-based handlers through rural as well as urban areas of Kashmir. In fact, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, too, was briefed in detail by Singh as well as by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar about the security challenges posed by Pakistan.

Modi’s aides said, as assured by Singh, the security forces have been advised to act with utmost restraint and curfew will relaxed in several parts of the state as early as possible. But the tracking and neutralising of the suspected network of terror cells will be dealt with a firm hand.