J&K crisis: Rajnath Singh appeals for peace

After concluding his two-day Kashmir visit, Rajnath addressed media here in the summer capital and said that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are concerned about Kashmir situation.

He appealed people to restore peace and normalcy in the Valley which has been on edge since past 15 days after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

The use of force against protesters has left 47 civilians dead in the Valley amid curfew and shutdown.

Rajnath said: “I extend my sympathy with the kin of civilians killed in unrest.”

However he, at the same time, said the Government of India will not tolerate terrorism.

Training guns at neighbouring Pakistan, the Indian Home Minister said there is no need of third power to restore the peace and calm in Kashmir. He said on the one hand Pakistan launches operation inside Lal Masjid against “terrorists” and “on the other it provokes Kashmiri
youth to take up arms”.

With regard to pellet guns, which maim and blind, Rajnath said he extends sympathy with all injured and said: “We will constitute an expert committee to find out ways to use non-lethal weapons. The committee will submit report in 2 months.”

He said that the government forces have been asked to exercise maximum restraint. On injured persons, 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 added that the if possible the injured would be treated at AIIMS.

The Home Minister said that 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 Chief Minister,” he said. However the Home Minster added that there is no way forward other then talks.