Time has come to expose Pakistan’s atrocities in PoK, Balochistan: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said in an all-party meeting that the roots of tension in the Kashmir Valley lay in cross-border terrorism, that is sponsored by Pakistan.

Despite Opposition pressure to begin the dialogue process with all stakeholders in Kashmir, the government indicated that it was not in a hurry and would do so after taking feedback from Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and when things have normalised to some extent.

A section in the Indian establishment favours a counter-offensive by New Delhi over human rights violations in PoK and Balochistan, where Pakistan’s security forces are accused of extra-judicial killings in a crackdown on groups seeking greater autonomy for the resource-rich province. “Now it is time to make Pakistan answerable before the world on the atrocities against people in Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir”, said Modi. The prime minister told attendees that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is also part of Jammu and Kashmir. He also said all parties agreed that issues of national security can not be compromised.

Sharing the main points of his government’s Kashmir policy, Modi asked the external affairs ministry to try contact citizens of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to get details of their pitiable condition and then share the details with the worldwide community. “Contact them and ask them to find out about the plight of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and highlight it before the worldwide community” said PM in his statement at all party meet.

Azad, who headed the state government at the start of a similar Kashmir unrest in 2008, said there was a need to find where the problems in the valley started.

The meeting, attended by opposition and ruling party MPs, was held to discuss ways of restoring normalcy in the valley.

“Whoever be killed, whether civilians or security forces, we all feel the pain”.

Speaking on the meeting, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said while addressing a press conference: “All parties put forth their concerns in one voice”.

Leaders from all parties were informed to do the necessary to bring back harmony and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. “Our efforts to upgrade our export controls, nuclear safety and security long pre-date our application”, he said. Though the Centre has advised the security forces for utmost restraint, but it’s the forces who will decide how to deal with the situation. Decision to call separatists and Hurriyat for talks will be evaluated by the Government according to the prevailing situation.