Three union ministers today made a strong pitch to free Jammu and Kashmir of terrorism with Hansraj Ahir declaring, "We want to end this trouble forever", as they justified the BJP's decision to end its alliance with the PDP in the state that has led to imposition of Governor's rule.
As Governor N N Vohra addressed the security challenges in the militancy-hit state, Ahir, the minister of state for home, said the Centre will not tolerate terrorism and that it was committed to bringing peace in the Valley.
Culture minister Mahesh Sharma said the situation will improve under Governor's rule where the might of the state can take on terrorists with the help of the people while Power minister R K Singh asserted it was in the country's interest to break the alliance with the PDP and strongly counter terrorism and anti-national elements.
Governor's rule was imposed in J and K and the state Assembly kept under suspended animation yesterday after President Ram Nath Kovind approved the proclamation, a day after the BJP pulled out of the three-year-old coalition with the PDP that led to the resignation of Mehbooba Mufti as the chief minister.
"We want to end this trouble forever, what is being carried out in Kashmir by separatists, terrorists or by Pakistan... The government will not tolerate (it)," Ahir said.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Hyderabad, Ahir said the government will not hesitate in taking action against terrorists.
"...whoever acts against the country, we will take action against them... We will continue to give a befitting reply."
"The government is committed to restore peace in Kashmir," the minister said, adding, that ensuring Kashmiri people lead a normal life was important.
Sharma said that with the imposition of Governor's rule, the situation in the state will change for the better.
"The change is already apparent with the security forces and police working with more confidence now. The impact of the change will be felt soon," Sharma said.
"We kept it (alliance with PDP) for three years, but now with the present political situation having changed, the time has come for such a rule (Governor's rule). A rule where the might of the state can take on terrorists with the help of the people," he told reporters in Kolkata after attending an Yoga event.
Without naming any country, Sharma said, "the entire world knows the role of a country in Kashmir. That country now stands isolated in the entire world."
On militant activities in Kashmir, he said, "We'll free Kashmir of terrorism and win back the misguided section who happen to be our own countrymen," he said, describing Kashmir as the "Pride of India".
BJP national secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, who also attended the Yoga event, said, the BJP-PDP alliance in J-K was built on a common minimum programme, but could not last.
Imposition of Governor's rule will help improve the situation in the state, he said.
Speaking to reporters after participating in the Yoga Day celebrations in Raipur, Power minister R K Singh said the decision to withdraw support to the PDP was taken in the country's interest.
"It was in the country's interest to break the alliance and strongly counter terrorism and anti-national elements," he said.
The BJP's expectations from the alliance in Jammu and Kashmir could not be fulfilled given the prevailing situation in the state, Singh said.
"We had no other option but to pull out of the government," he added.
"Let the others say whatever they want to, but for us the nation comes first. Whenever we feel that a decision needs to be taken in the nation's interest, we take it," Singh said.
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