Home Minister Rajnath Singh promised an alternative to pellet guns in the next few days.
As part of the government's latest outreach in Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that an alternative to pellet guns - used by security personnel for crowd control - will be proposed within a few days.
Attacked with stones by protesters, security forces have retaliated with pellet guns leaving hundreds injured in near-daily clashes in Kashmir since security forces shot dead Burhan Wani, a 22-year-old terrorist on July 8.
The Home Minister said that the report of an expert committee set-up by him to suggest alternatives to pellet guns was expected in a soon. He said:
"It is just one month, and the report of the (expert) committee will come within two-three days. Within a few days we will have an alternative to pellet guns."
After expressing concern about those injured by pellets, Mr Singh asked the people of Jammu and Kashmir to not forget the role played by security forces during flood relief operations in 2014.
"Security personnel have been told to exercise restraint, and they are exercising maximum restraint while bearing the brunt of protestors. As a result, 4500 security personnel have been injured. I would like to appeal to everyone to not forget the role of security personnel during floods," the Home Minister said.
Accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Mr Singh said that the Centre was ready for talks with all stakeholders to try for a solution to the Kashmir impasse.
"I will only say that we are willing to talk to anyone within the ambit of Jamooriyat, Kashmiriyat and Insaniyat," Mr Singh said.
Appealing for an end to the violence that has gripped Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister asked the people of the state to help identify those trying to mislead the youth.
"I appeal to Kashmiri people to identify those who are trying to create such a situation in Kashmir. Without the future of Kashmir, the future of India cannot exist," he said.
The Home Minister, who is on his second visit to Jammu and Kashmir in less than a month, also said that an all-party delegation will soon visit Jammu and Kashmir to start dialogue with a cross-section of people in the state.