Monitor News Bureau
Srinagar, Apr 08: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has criticised Hurriyat leaders for “maintaining silence over killing of innocent people by unknown gunmen”.
He also opposed a dialogue with separatists who “stay silent when innocent people are killed and give a call for strike when militants are eliminated”.
“We have entered into a decisive phase in this war. The reaction was on the expected line but we are in control (of the situation),” Singh on Saturday told reporters at a function here.
He said those ready to surrender are given an opportunity to live a peaceful life but those adamant to fight are meeting their end.
The Opposition wants the government to initiate dialogue, he said, adding “(I want to ask) with whom. Those who are killing innocents or with those who are provoking youth for stone pelting through Hawala funding. When an innocent is killed, the Hurriyat (separatist camp) maintains silence but when a militant is eliminated, it gives strike call,” he said.
The deputy chief minister accused the opposition of doing politics over its demand for holding of dialogue with separatists and Pakistan.
However, the appointment of special representative on Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma is meant to involve those who are seeking solution of the problems through peaceful means, Singh said.
Contrary to the stand of the previous UPA government, he said the Narendra Modi government has “time and again extended the hand of friendship to the neighbouring country”.
“What we got Uri and Pathankot (attacks). Then we carried out the surgical strike If anyone wants peace, we will extend hand of friendship but if our peace move is sabotaged, we will not reciprocate with talks as terror and talks cannot go together,” he said.
