Jammu: Justifying the security extended to separatist leaders of Kashmir Valley, Union minister Jitendra Singh today said they faced threat from Pakistan which might attack them to blame it on India.

Singh said the Kashmir unrest was first such turmoil in the world in which number of the civilians injured are more or less equal to those in security forces and policemen. It clearly shows how much restraint the security personnel exercised.

He said as soon as the situation improves, there is a need to engage with the youth of the state.

“We keep blaming Mehbooba (Mufti, Chief Minister), but miss the sight of those forces engaged in it. Pakistan and separatists are threat,” he said at a function organised by Sanjeevni Sharda Kendra here.

“Pakistan is not only threat to us but also to separatists as well. Separatists have no threat from us (India) but from Pakistan,” he said.

Justifying their security given by the government, Union Minister said “why security has been given to them, because Pakistan backed people will kill them blame us (India)”.

“What has happened to Moulvi Farooq… what has happened to Abdul Gani Lone… They have fear and threat from their own people,” Singh said.

The Union Minister further said that Pakistan has a threat from Pakistan itself. “See what is happening in Peshswar…What is happening in Balochistan.”

“Pakistani is trying to engineer terrorism selectively.

These forces who have upped its ante fear from their own people. We have to prepare ourselves,” he said.

On the situation in Kashmir, he said, “We will have to move forward on three basic ideologies (sidhant). First, there will be no compromise with violence whatever may be the aim of violence, violence is a violence and we have to put an end to circle of violence and it has no place in the society and all political parties agree to it.”

“Second, as the situation will improve there is a need to engage with the youth of the state and the beginning of chain of several schemes by the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for last two years. The youth of the country are taking benefit of these and we do not want that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are deprived of it. The youth of Kashmir valley also wants to become stakeholder of the journey of development but due to some reasons they are not fully coming forward,” he said.

“And third, there should be no premium on anti-India activism. It should not look that if someone raises anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans, I will get glorification”, he said.

Pakistan should end ‘atrocities’ in Balochistan: Jitendra

Jammu: Asserting that Balochistan is a very important security concern for India, Union Minister Jitendra Singh today said Pakistan should put an end to “operational atrocities” unleashed by Islamabad in the region.

“Balochistan is a very important security concern for India”, Singh told reporters here.

Singh was replying to a question about India’s reaction to the atrocities and operational terror by Pakistan on the people of Balochistan.

“You cannot allow your neighbourhood to be on fire because sooner or later it is going to impact you, you cannot build a heaven inside and leave a hell outside,” the minister said.

Singh said that it is example of a boundary wall with another house and the other house being constantly in trouble and sooner or later you run a risk of being impacted by it.

He asked Pakistan to put an end to operational atrocities and bring peace in the region.

The minister further said “Therefore, it is also part of our responsibility to safeguard the security concerns of India”.

“We have to ensure that Balochistan, as a situation, is peaceful, is normal and there is an end to operational atrocities unleashed by Islamabad,” Singh said.

With regard to Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) dropping charges against an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attack case citing a lack of evidence, Jitendra Singh said the government of India will deal with it appropriately.

“I think the Government of India and Ministry of External Affairs will take a call on it appropriately depending upon the inputs available about the sequence of events,” said the MoS in PMO in response to a question on the development.

“But as far as India is concern, it is capable of meeting any eventuality and taking a call to whatever be the circumstances,” Singh further said.

As per Pakistani media reports, FIA has submitted a charge-sheet before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) and placed the suspect, Sufiyan Zafar, in the second column, which means that no evidence was found against him.

Zafar was arrested last month on a charge of financing the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in November, 2008.

Centre to deploy more forces in J-K to ensure security during Eid

New Delhi:Plans are afoot to deploy additional contingents of security forces and impose prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC in sensitive areas of the Kashmir Valley in view of the forthcoming Eid celebrations.

Officials said a “concerned” central government has chalked out a plan of action to ensure peace and security during Eid-ul Azha on September 12 with steps like avoiding large congregations on the streets and advising people to celebrate at home.

They said additional forces are expected to be deployed in the Valley to beef up security measures.

Section 144 of CrPC (unlawful assembly) in selected and sensitive areas in the Valley would be imposed to keep gathering of crowds under check.

Normal life has remained paralysed for 63rd consecutive day today in the unrest-hit Valley where 73 persons have been killed in the violence which erupted after a militant Burhan Wani was gunned down by security forces.

The separatists groups have extended the shutdown call till September 16.

PTI