Arun Jaitley said Pakistan, terrorists and religious forces all had a hand in Kashmir unrest.
Highlights
- Jaitley said Pakistan had a hand in Kashmir unrest.
- He said there will be no compromise with people who indulge in violence
- The unrest in the state has reached its sixth week.
Union minister Arun Jaitley outlined the Narendra Modi government's priorities in Jammu and Kashmir based on concerns for the nation's integrity and the development in the state. Describing the situation in the state as "serious" he said Pakistan, terrorists and religious forces all had a hand.
"There will be no compromise on the security and integrity of the country and no compromise with the people who indulge in violence," he said at a rally on the outskirts of Jammu city.
"Secondly, as Jammu and Kashmir has faced violence and wars, it needs development which has been denied for past 60 years by National Conference and Congress governments," the minister added.
"Thirdly, Jammu, being the support base of BJP, needs added attention."
The unrest in the state has reached its sixth week since Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed.
While India has said Pakistan was fueling the unrest, the minister underscrored that protesters throwing stones are "not satyagrahis but aggressors". "If a police post manned by 10 police personnel is attacked by 2000 stone pelters, it is an attack, but some people do not realise it," he said.
While PM Modi took the opposition on board regarding the unrest in the state, a section of the opposition has accused the Central government of having no policy with regard to dealing with the unrest. The opposition parties have been pressing for a political solution and dialogue to address the unrest.
The minister also criticised Pakistan for the current unrest, saying it was "attacking the integrity of India" in a "new way" after failing to snatch the state by waging wars and fueling trouble ever since partition in 1947.