Govt asks forces to avoid use of pellet guns, slams Pak for inciting violence
Srinagar: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday warned Pakistan not to interfere in India's internal affairs and appealed to the people of Kashmir to help restore normalcy in the state.
Appealing to the youth to not to resort to stone-pelting, Singh said he has asked the security forces to refrain from using pellet guns as much as possible even as he regretted the loss of lives.
Singh said the Centre wants an emotional relationship with the state of J&K and not just need-based and asked Pakistan to stop meddling in the matter.
Read: Don’t do unto us what you don't want others to do unto you: Mufti tells Pak
"As far as Government of India is concerned, I want to make it clear that we don't just want need-based ties, but to build an emotional relationship with Kashmir," he said, reaching out to the people in the Valley while making a fervent appeal to them to help restore peace and normalcy in the state.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh with Governor of J&K N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. (Photo: PTI)
Addressing a press conference here after winding up his two-day visit to the state after holding talks with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and several delegations both in Srinagar and Anantnag, Rajnath said the Centre will talk to whosoever needed once peace and normalcy is restored in the state.
Attacking Pakistan on its role in Kashmir, he said, "its role has not been 'paak' (pure) on Kashmir. Pakistan should change its attitude and approach towards Kashmir."
Read: Kashmir unrest: Rajnath Singh meets local leaders, trade unions boycott meet
Asking people to give their "suggestions" to bring peace in the state, he said, "There is no need of any third force to improve the situation in Kashmir."
Singh hit out at Pakistan, which he said is itself affected by terrorism and to end it on one hand it is killing terrorists after entering the Lal Masjid, while on the other it is asking our youth in Kashmir to take to arms. "This must stop," he said.
Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces a day after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8 resulting in 45 deaths.
