“Govt to adopt two way strategies to bring peace in JK”
Non implementation of GST will be against JK interests: Jaitley
NL Correspondent
Without outrightly rejecting the possibility of holding talks with Separatists, including Hurriyat Conference, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley today said first priority at the moment was to restore normalcy in the Kashmir Valley.
The Defence Minister in reply to a question said people in every state have sentiments for the entire country but that does not once should go for violence.
When he was reminded that during the NDA government headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Union Government hold talks with Separatists, Mr Jaitley, who was also a Cabinet minister then, said let the situation become normal that is the top priority at the moment adding any decision on this will be announced by the Central government.
On the current situation in the valley, Jaitley, who is also the holding the Defence Ministry said the government was adopting a “two way strategies” to bring peace in the state.
“The government's priority is to restore normalcy in the valley especially in south Kashmir. The road is visible to everyone at the movement how to bring normalcy. A section of people has to be dealt by security measures and a section by citizen friendly measures. That is what we are trying to do so.”
When asked whether the government would adopt a different approach while dealing with the local militants, he said, “The terrorism and militancy, both are at aimed against the Indian state, its sovereignty, and people of Jammu and Kashmir. The security forces and the locals are affected by their actions. Therefore those who have taken up the violence of this magnitude will be accountable of their actions.”
Replying to a question whether the government had made a distinction of “good or bad separatists”, he said, “With an average citizen, irrespective of his political views, he will be likely to be on Indian side in this debate. But as far as those killing people we can't provide similar facilities to them. They have to be dealt as a serious surgical problem and have to be dealt accordingly.”
On a national TV sting operation where few separatists had admitted “receiving funds from the Pakistan”, the Union Finance Minister said, “Such things are already known. It is already known that Pakistan is funding the separatists. Separatists were funded to create unrest, burn schools, to kill people and destroy public property.”
He claimed that separatists' actions were not only against Indian state but also against the Kashmiris. “The media report has got the confession statement from them. The concerned agencies will take action whatever is required.”
Replying to a question whether the government was willing to address the “sentiments of Kashmiris”, he said, “Sentiments of people are in every state of the country, and they have to be addressed. The current situation emerges when you take to violence and arms then start killing security forces or your own people. Then unleash of cycle does not stop. Sentiments have to be addressed once situation is normal here.”
“You cannot address the aspiration when there is a war against the country, state and local people who are losing their lives,” Mr Jaitley said and warned that those taking to violence will be certainly made accountable for this.
He said the present situation of burning schools, kill people and destroy property was being funded by across the border. Average resident of Kashmir was being targeted.
Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley Friday said the non-implementation of the Goods and Services Tax in Jammu and Kashmir would go against the interests of the state.
“Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has a right to take a decision on it. Those who oppose will be unfortunate that consumers have to give double tax- first on inputs then on final products,” he said in a press conference here after concluding the two day Goods and Services Tax Council meet in Srinagar.
He claimed if GST was not implemented, then consumers in the state won't get ‘input credit'. “Non implementation of the GST is against the interests of JK.”
When asked whether the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would bring more development in the neighbouring countries of India including in other side of Kashmir, he said the economic development was government's priority. “Let no body envious what happens across the border. There are examples in the history where people enter on the name of connectivity and then they establish a strategic presence,” he said.
CPEC is the mega road, maritime and infrastructure initiative includes land corridors from China through Central Asia and Russia to Europe with spurs to West Asia and to Pakistan.
However, he said the resources which are meant for the economic development of the people are being used for security purposes. “Who is to be blamed for unleashing the era of violence,” he asked.
On the demand of return of few power projects to the state, he said, the state government and the union Power ministry were interacting on such issues.
Further he said Army was well prepared to deal with any situation. “The Army is fully confident not to allow any form of infiltration to take place. If there is any effort of ceasefire violation, our soldiers will give adequate response to this.”
On the incident where a Budgam youth was tied to an army jeep, he said the investigation was going on into the incident.
“Army is a responsible institution. Army was also interesting in saving lives of people on that particular day,” the Defence Minister claimed.
