New Delhi: Rejecting any third party intervention on the Kashmir issue, Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday declared zero-tolerance towards terrorism and warned Pakistan against provoking Kashmiri youth to take up arms.
"There is no need for any third power for improving the Kashmir situation. I want to make it clear that terrorism will not be tolerated. There will be no compromise on terrorism. I want to tell the neighbouring country, which itself is hit by terror, that you even went into Lal Masjid to kill terrorists. But you appeal to the Kashmiri youth to take up arms. This should stop," Singh told reporters at the technical airport on Sunday evening.
Warning Pakistan not to meddle in India's internal affairs, Singh asked the neighbouring country to change its thinking and attitude towards Kashmir.
"The role of the neighbouring country is not good as far as Kashmir is concerned. Pakistan should change its attitude and thinking towards Kashmir," he said.
Singh ruled out any dialogue process until peace is restored in the valley. "Normalcy and peace should be restored first. Talks can be held but let normalcy and peace be restored. We will talk to the chief minister and take all necessary steps while taking her into confidence," he said.
Expressing regret and sympathies with the families of the victims, Singh said they want to build an emotional bond with the people of Kashmir and not need-based relationships. "Our Prime Minister is worried about the situation. I am also worried. I also express regret and offer my condolences to the families of those who have died," he said.
Singh's sympathies come on the day when two more people succumbed to injuries. Constable Mudasir Ahmad, who was injured when militants, disguising as protestors, lobbed grenade on police at Yaripora on July 15, died at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) on Sunday. A civilian, Sameer Ahmad of Khanmoh, who was injured on July 10, also died at the SKIMS on Sunday.
"Any disagreement and difference can be solved by sitting together and through talks. I have asked security forces to exhibit maximum restraint. Around 2,228 policemen, 1,100 CRPF men and 2,259 civilians have been injured. I want to appeal to the youth not to pelt stones. I have also asked security forces to desist from using pellet guns," said Singh.
Despite boycott by major trade bodies and Kashmir Inc, Singh said he met 30 delegations in Srinagar since Saturday and held talks with people for one hour in volatile Anantnag on Sunday.
"I have appealed to them to help restore peace and normalcy in Kashmir. Many delegations have told me that people have been injured by pellet guns and some of them have suffered eye injuries. I have said in my speech in Parliament that an expert committee will be set up to look into the pellet gun issue and it will submit a report in two months," he said.
The home minister offered to treat the injured in New Delhi and proposed to send a special plane to airlift the wounded and treat them at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). "I have told the Union health minister to appoint a nodal officer who could provide assistance and help to the injured in Delhi," he said.
Asked about the report submitted by the interlocutors after the 2010 groundswell, Singh said he would talk to the ministry officials to find out whether it has been studied or not. On Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) revocation, he said whatever is needed would be discussed with the state governments.
