The government is working to ensure peace in Kashmir by winter, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir said today, adding the approach is the one outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address about embracing Kashmiris.
Ahir, who visited some areas along the International Border to assess the situation there, asserted that there will be no compromise in dealing with militants and those coming from Pakistan with guns will not be allowed to go back alive.
"We are working to ensure peace in Kashmir by winter. It is our commitment to ensure safety and security of the people and also along the borders," he told reporters here.
"We formed the (PDP-BJP) government (in the state) on the promise of ensuring peaceand progress of the state. This is what Modi Ji has often said. The government has worked very efficiently to secure its bordersand also the people of the state," he said.
While talking about the government approach towards addressing the problems related to Kashmir, he said, "On August 15, the prime minister had said that we want to embrace the people of the Kashmir and we will not leave them. We are working in this direction."
In his Independence Day address, the prime minister had reached out to the strife-hit Kashmiris, saying abuses and bullets will not resolve their problems but embracing them will.
"Na gaali se, na goli se, parivartan hoga gale lagaane se... Samasya suljhegi har Kashmiri ko gale lagane se (Kashmir probem cannot be resolved by either bullets or by abuses. Itcan be resolved by embracing Kashmiris)," Modi had said, adding the government was committed to making Kashmir a paradise once again.
Ahir noted that the government has already announced a package of Rs 80,000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir.
"We have to spent that for the development of the state. Youth are to be given employment after training them," he added.
"We are confident of ensuring development of Jammu and Kashmir. We are determined to do it and we assure the people of the state that during the tenure of our government we will ensure development," the minister said.
Replying to questions on militancy, he said, "I will not comment on the number of militants active in Kashmir valley but those who come to fight with weapons, we are giving them a befitting reply in the same manner and same language."
Asserting that there will be no compromise while dealing with terrorists, the MoS Home said, "The security forces, army and police are acting accordingly. Those who come with guns will be given befitting reply in the same language."
He went on to add, "We are not bothered about the terrorist camps operating across the border but those coming from there with guns to fight here, will not allowed to go back alive."
Referring to his visit to border areas, he said, "the residents are not feeling scared (due to ceasefire violations by Pakistan). They met me and raised some of demands including construction of bunkers immediately."
He said there should be more community bunkers which can house families rather than the individual bunkers.
The border residents also raised the demand of compensation, Ahir said, adding, "we are committed to resolve their problems."
He also said that 6000 transit accommodations will be constructed in Kashmir for employees of Kashmiri Pandits.
"There has been not much progress in this sector. Land has not been acquired. The state government has been asked to speed up the process," the union minister said.
Asked about the issue of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, he said, "they have no right to live here. We are finding out opportune time to deport them. This is our duty."
The minister reviewed progress on various initiatives of central government with regard to Kashmiri migrants, PoK refugees, West Pakistan refugees and border area people in Jammu.
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