Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said the final solution envisaged by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Kashmir problem entails ''the elimination of all militants in Kashmir and retrieving Pakistan occupied Kashmir from Pakistan''.
At a press conference in Srinagar, Singh said the militancy in the state was breathing its last.
He said the statement on the final solution to Kashmir issue by the home minister is interpreted differently by different sections of the society. “This (final solution) means the protracted phase of violence and militancy should finally meet its end,'' Singh stressed. ''Besides that, there is no other issue.”
He was responding to a question whether he could explain what the home minister meant when he said the final solution to Kashmir issue will come within three months.
Singh, who represents Jammu Parliamentary constituency in Lok Sabha, is the elder brother of NC leader Devender Singh Rana.
He stressed that besides militancy, there is no other issue to be sorted out. “It is a foregone conclusion that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India...If at all there is an issue, as stated in the resolution passed by Parliament in 1994, that is to retrieve the part of Kashmir under Pakistan’s control.”
Flanked by Union Minister of State for Home Hans Raj Ahir, Singh said he was not a soldier or an astrologer to predict how long it will take to eliminate all militants. ''But yes, there is definitely a decisive headway,” He said ''We are not in denial mode.''
About the possible security lapses regarding the attack on Amarnath yatris, he said let the security experts take a call and political functionaries stay away.
''All the lapses will be taken care of,” he said. “I am not in a denial mode. Suggestions are well taken care of, but let security experts decide on that. There may be some lapses, intentionally or unintentionally, and they will be taken care of.”
On those who carried out the attack, the minister said the investigations are going on.
''I have to compliment the security forces, who, within few hours, identified the person behind the attack,” he said. “Security forces are working on some leads and and the inferences will help us to chalk out the future strategy.”
On allegations of security forces committing atrocities against civilians, he said, “ Our military and paramilitary are cited as examples in other countries. The nation is eternally indebted to them,” adding, “Past 25 years has been a great learning experience for our forces.''
He said they are risking their own lives and there is a need for a joint approach from people and forces.
''Anger will remain until the situation improves,” Singh said in response to a question about the videos showing youth being beaten by forces.
''We are in Kashmir on prime minister and home minister’s orders,'' the minister said. “During the floods in 2014, the prime minister himself visited Kashmir twice and celebrated Diwali with the soldiers. That is the kind of importance Modi-government accords to peripheral states including northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.
He said anything untoward in Kashmir resonates across India.
Singh further said the prime minister has taken personal interest on the issue of attack on Amarnath pilgrims and the home minister is still monitoring the situation round the clock.
