Rijiju clarifies govt stance post Srinagar violence
11 April 2015 5:44 AM IST
In the wake of massive outrage over separate settlements for Kashmiri Pandits in the valley, the Centre on Friday played down the issue by claiming that no final decision has been taken on creating separate colony for them. Speaking to the media persons in Srinagar, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said, “I will not be able to reveal much in the issue as nothing is finalized yet. The consultation process is going on between the state government and the union government.”
While stressing that all have to come together before taking a final call, he, however, categorically asserted that the government cannot be influenced by separatists who work at Pakistan’s behest. It has to be in the interest of the state, interest of the people only,” he added.
His statement came after a dozen people were injured as security forces and JKLF supporters clashed after their leader Yasin Malik was arrested during a protest march against Centre’s decision for separate colonies for Pandits in the valley. In the morning, police intercepted the protestors and took Malik into preventive custody, which sparked the violence.
Dismayed over the protest led by Malik and separatists’ call for a shutdown on Saturday, the minister said, “There are elements in the state who wanted to create problems for the country. They are trying to whip up sentiments of the people which will create problems. So my appeal would be that people should work together and not get brainwashed or influenced by those elements who want to create problems for the country and for the society.”
Hinting at Pakistan, Rijiju said, “Our government will not be influenced by people working at the diktat of the outsiders and all. Anybody indigenous of Jammu and Kashmir, we are Indian citizens, we have to talk to each other. Dialogue and discussion is the process.” Recently, BJP alliance partner PDP and its Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said that there will no separate settlements for the displaced community.
While stressing that all have to come together before taking a final call, he, however, categorically asserted that the government cannot be influenced by separatists who work at Pakistan’s behest. It has to be in the interest of the state, interest of the people only,” he added.
His statement came after a dozen people were injured as security forces and JKLF supporters clashed after their leader Yasin Malik was arrested during a protest march against Centre’s decision for separate colonies for Pandits in the valley. In the morning, police intercepted the protestors and took Malik into preventive custody, which sparked the violence.
Dismayed over the protest led by Malik and separatists’ call for a shutdown on Saturday, the minister said, “There are elements in the state who wanted to create problems for the country. They are trying to whip up sentiments of the people which will create problems. So my appeal would be that people should work together and not get brainwashed or influenced by those elements who want to create problems for the country and for the society.”
Hinting at Pakistan, Rijiju said, “Our government will not be influenced by people working at the diktat of the outsiders and all. Anybody indigenous of Jammu and Kashmir, we are Indian citizens, we have to talk to each other. Dialogue and discussion is the process.” Recently, BJP alliance partner PDP and its Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said that there will no separate settlements for the displaced community.
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