Hansraj Ahir slams Pakistan, hints at action against separatists

Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir on Wednesday hinted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, which believes in democracy, would very soon initiate action against the separatists attempting to divide the nation.

Disapproving the separatists snub to the all-party delegation, Ahir said that their behaviour was similar to the terrorists.

"Taking note of the perspective put forth by the Prime Minister for the nation's security, very soon a decision would be taken against them. Their security should be taken away. Their air service facility should be taken away," he added.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, however, said that it is yet to be decided as to what action would be taken against the separatists but stressed that the ruling dispensation's move would be as per the Constitution.

Ahir further said that the government has so far dealt with utmost patience while dealing with the separatists.

"But they are taking our patience as our weakness. We will prove that this is not our weakness and we're now geared up to take strict action against these separatists," he added.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is presently chairing a meeting of the all-party delegation, which visited Jammu and Kashmir recently to find a solution for restoring peace in the valley, in the national capital. The meeting is assessing the situation in Kashmir and will chalk out a future strategy.

Ahead of the meeting, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag met the Home Minister on Wednesday morning. Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi was also present during the meeting.

The development comes as Rajnath on Tuesday briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation in Kashmir. The Home Minister had earlier expressed his displeasure over the decision of Kashmiri separatists to refuse talks with members of the all-party delegation, saying their behaviour defied the spirit of "Kashmiriyat" and "insaniyat". He said the "doors are wide open" for talks with anyone interested in peace and normalcy.

Ahir also condemned Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif's assertion that Islamabad would continue to support the people of the valley on the "diplomatic and ethical" fronts.

"We won't give any importance to what they speak. The Prime Minister did not name them but it is good that they understood that his assertion was directed at them.This is something not new as former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had used the same words on the international platforms," he said.

Making an intervention on terror financing at the last session of the recently held G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi delivered a strong message on cracking down on terror emanating from Pakistan. "There are some nations that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy," he said.

"Indeed one single nation in South Asia is spreading these agents of terror in countries of our region," he added.