‘Infiltration backed by Pak but our soldiers are alert’
Centre to work with J&K’s elected leadership
Jammu, Apr 11: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said today that Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) belongs to India and that our legal case is also strong. He charged Pakistan with being unable to handle separatism in Balochistan and militancy in their own country.
Speaking at the Summit of a national news channel in New Delhi, Shah said India’s claim on PoJK is not a mere claim but a firm belief backed by historic documents and evidence.
Asserting that India’s stand on PoJK has been very clear, he said our legal case is also strong.
It may be mentioned here that the Indian Parliament had in 1994 unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming that PoJK is an integral part of India.
Responding to a question on unrest in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, the Home Minister said Pakistan hasn’t been able to handle the situation there.
Pakistan has been facing increasing unrest and militancy not only in Balochistan but in other parts of the country also.
Shah said Pakistan should find out a solution to their problems.
Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades, where militants target state forces and foreign nationals in the mineral-rich southwestern province bordering Afghanistan and Iran citing that the Pakistani state has taken control of the resources and deprived the Baloch of any benefits.
“India is not supporting the Balochistan movement. Certain provinces of Pakistan are unhappy with the way the Pakistan Government is functioning,’’ Shah told the questionnaire.
Earlier in March, the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) — which accuses outsiders of plundering the province’s natural resources — launched a dramatic train siege that officials said ended in around 60 deaths including some separatists behind the assault.
Referring to his recent visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister said his meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was cordial and focused on development and governance.
“The Central Government is committed to work with Jammu and Kashmir’s elected leadership,’’ Shah said, adding the Centre has always supported regional Governments without any bias.
Shah was on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from April 6-8 during which he held security and development works review meetings with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and top officials of security agencies.
Asserting that national security is a top priority of the Central Government, the Home Minister said the Government’s stands on security and separatism is very firm. “We will not compromise, nor we will allow anyone else to do it’’.
Issuing a stern warning to those trying to spread terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister said anyone trying to do this will face stern action.
Responding to a question on recent terror attack in Kathua district, Shah said infiltration (of the terrorists) is, of course, backed by Pakistan and not someone else like Russia and this has been happening for years.
However, he added, our soldiers and the Government are fully alert and alive to the situation and those trying to facilitate infiltration will pay heavily.
Two Pakistani terrorists were killed and four police personnel were martyred in the gun battle in Safiyan Jakhole area of Kathua district on March 27. Slain terrorists as well as those who escaped were reported to be part of freshly infiltrated group from the International Border in Pakistan.
To a question on neighbouring Nepal, Shah said Nepal is a democracy and people have the right to express their ideas. He was asked about the recent rallies calling for declaring Nepal as a Hindu Rashtra.
“It’s a democracy, people can make demands in a democracy,” he added. Led by former Maoist leader Durga Prasai, several rallies have been taken out in Nepal over the past few weeks demanding the reinstatement of monarchy and declaring Nepal as a ‘Hindu Rashtra’.–(Daily Excelsior)
