The government on Friday insisted it is working hard to ensure that normalcy returns in violence-hit Kashmir at the earliest, while stating that it has asked the security forces to act with utmost restraint so that there is no lapse on their part.
Addressing the media after an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the leaders of all parties put forth their concerns in one voice and with the right intent.
"I have assured all the political parties that every suggestion, which they have put forward to bring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir would be taken into consideration," he added.
Singh quoted the Prime Minister as saying that the time has come for Pakistan to answer the world on atrocities against the people in Balochistan and the PoK.
"The Centre has decided on a development package of over Rs 80,000 crores for the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir and its people," he added.
He further said that there were no talks about sending an all-party delegation to Kashmir.
More From This Section
Divulging further details, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said all political parties were of the view that there should be no compromise on issues of national security.
"All the parties were also of the view that the problems being faced by the common man in Jammu and Kashmir must be looked into. Security forces have been advised to act with utmost restraint, curfew has been relaxed in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir," said Jaitley.
The Finance Minister said that the decision to call separatists and Hurriyat leaders for talks would be evaluated by the government as per the prevailing situation.
"There is no lowering of guard as far as security is concerned. The security forces will act with utmost restraint. Terrorism and violence will be dealt with effectively. As far as lives of ordinary people are concerned, we must ensure that life returns to normalcy at the earliest," he added.
Commenting on the use of pellet guns, the Finance Minister said, "The expert committee is looking into it. This is a matter in which security implications also need to be examined. It's only after the expert committee comes out with its opinion including alternate options, the government will be in a position to decide."
Prime Minister Modi earlier told the politicos that Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) is also a part of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister added that 'there cannot be any compromise on national security but we have to win confidence of people in Jammu and Kashmir.'
Prime Minister Modi expressed happiness that all parties have spoken in one voice on the issue.
"It's a matter of happiness that all parties have spoken in one voice on Jammu and Kashmir. I am grateful to all political parties for raising concerns with regard to prevailing situation in J&K," he said.
He also termed cross-border terrorism supported by Pakistan as the root cause of turbulence in the valley.
Former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh assured "full-cooperation" on behalf of the Congress Party in any measures adopted by the government to defuse the tension in Kashmir.
"Manmohan Singh ji said we recognize that we didn't fully succeed. It's a duty of the Government of India to come up with roadmap for defusing the present situation. During the meeting Manmohan Singh ji assured that the government that any positive step to solve Kashmir issue with be provided full co-operation from the Congress Party," said senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.
"We must remember that Kashmir had rejected the two-nation theory in 1947. Today, we reiterate that there can be no compromise on the territorial integrity of India," he added.
During the four-hour-long meeting, which comes in the wake of continued unrest in Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on July 8, some of the opposition parties also asked the government to take a few immediate confidence-building measures like putting an end to the use of pellet guns and relaxing AFSPA in some parts of the valley.
Kashmir has been on the boil for more than a month with thousands injured and more than 50 killed during protests against Wani's killing.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
