Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday reiterated his commitment that Center was willing to talk to all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the issues faced by the people of violence hit state. PTI file photo
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday reiterated his commitment that Center was willing to talk to all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the issues faced by the people of violence hit state.
“Not just five times, if there is a need to come visit Kashmir 50 times in a year I shall come. Whatever efforts need to be made for bringing peace and prosperity I will do it,” Singh, who arrived on a four-day visit to the state on Saturday, told reporters in Srinagar.
Hinting that New Delhi was willing to even talk to separatists if they come on the negotiation table, he said, “I am willing to talk to anyone. I am inviting everyone who is willing to help us in resolving problems of Kashmir. I am not here keeping any reservation in mind and have come to meet all the stakeholders.”
“My frequent visits to J&K make our intentions clear that we want to resolve the problems of the state. Five Cs form the basis for resolution of problems of Kashmir — compassion, communication, coexistence, confidence-building and consistency,” he said.
Recollecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech, the Home Minister said Kashmiris must be embraced and not abused. “The terrorists have destroyed many generations of Kashmiris. We will not allow another generation to go waste in Kashmir. The worst affected groups in Kashmir are the youth, businessmen, workers and the poor,” he said.
On a petition lodged in the Supreme Court seeking abrogation of Article 35A, which grants special status to the state, he said, “We will not go against sentiments of people. There are no issues left that are why such issues are being raised.”
Singh also said that security situation in Kashmir was improving. “I don’t want to say it is better, but it much better than earlier (last year),” he said while appealing tourists from rest of the country and the world to visit Kashmir and businesses to invest in the region.
“I want to tell all tourists and tourist organizations that people of Kashmir are ready to welcome you, they want to turn it (Kashmir) into heaven again. The Center will undertake a special promotional drive to boost tourism in Kashmir,” he said.
The Union Home Minister also announced that youngsters below the age of 18 years, who have been arrested in various cases since last year, will be treated in accordance with the Juvenile Act and not like criminals. “Kids below the age of 18 should not be treated like criminals, whatever investigation needs to be done it must be in accordance with Juvenile Act. They must not be sent to prison, must be sent to juvenile homes,” he said.