Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh today asked separatists in Kashmir to come forward for a dialogue with the Centre's special representative, saying it was a "golden opportunity" and they need to "shed the fear of Pakistani guns".
Three days back, the Centre appointed former IB chief Dineshwar Sharma as its special representative for a "sustained dialogue" with all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir, in a fresh move aimed at bringing peace to the troubled state.
"This is a big moment and you (separatists) have to be courageous. You have to shed the fear of Pakistani guns and come forward and put forth your view point before the special representative," Singh said addressing a function organized by his party BJP here.
"They (separatists) have lost an opportunity in the past when they shut their doors to parliamentary delegation (last year). The time has given them another opportunity, a golden opportunity and they need to grab this for restoration of peace in the state," he added.
He was speaking at the 'Vilay Diwas' (accession day) function to mark the signing of Instrument of Accession by the then Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh on this day in 1947.
Singh said if the separatists fail to take advantage of the latest development, neither the time nor the people of Jammu and Kashmir will forgive them.
"The people of Kashmir want peace.... It was our stand that the dialogue is not possible under the roaring guns and tanks," the deputy chief minister said.
"The Centre has made it clear that those carrying guns would be treated the same way but those willing to shun violence and work for peace need to come forward," he said.
Emphasising that terrorists do not want a solution through dialogue, he said, "The Centre decided to strike hard on terrorism and we are happy that the situation has changed for better as 170 terrorists were eliminated (this year)."
Over a dozen top militant commanders have been killed and "today nobody is willing to become a commander among the terrorist ranks," Singh said.
He said it was for the first time that the NIA is conducting raids and exposing the separatists.
While asking the separatist leaders to come forward for a dialogue, he asked, "What happened to Moulvi Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone, the two separatist leaders who were assassinated?"
Singh said the BJP wants restoration of peace in the state and take it to new heights of development.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pursuing the policy of (former Prime Minister A B) Vajpayee on Kashmir and even made a number of attempts to develop good relations with neighbours but what we got was Pathankot (airbase attack)," the deputy chief minister said.
Singh charged the Opposition parties including National Conference and Congress of raking up issues which are aimed at dividing the people of the state.
"We (BJP and PDP) came together to bring Jammu, Kashmir valley and Ladakh together. We will continue to work in this direction," he said.
He said the BJP and the PDP are working in accordance with the 'Agenda of Alliance' and "if anytime we feel justice is not being done, we will not take a second to leave the government.
He asked the people to prepare for upcoming Panchayat, Corporation and Committee elections.
Hundreds of party workers attended the rally and heard senior leaders who paid rich tributes to the last Maharaja Hari Singh.
Those who attended the public meeting took a pledge to free the country of poverty, corruption, unemployment and terrorism and make it an abode of peace.
BJP state President Sat Sharma, in his address, supported the demand for deporation of illegally settled Rohingya and said they have been settled in Jammu by Congress and National Conference because of vote bank politics.
"The out-of-power parties are trying their best to vitiate atmosphere in Jammu and misleading people over different issues like public holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
"We need to remain cautious and foil the nefarious designs of the people who are out to play vote bank politics," he said.
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