We can reconsider use of pellet guns: Rajnath Nath

After telling Parliament that he will hold direct talks with the people of Jammu & Kashmir whose “pain is being felt by every Indian”, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently returned from a two-day visit to the state where he met top political leaders from all parties and several local delegations. The home minister has been gathering direct feedback from Kashmir’s ground zero where nearly 50 people have been killed and thousands injured in protests after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter. He will also be visiting Islamabad on August 3-4 and spoke exclusively to TOI’s Subhash Mishra, about his impressions from his Srinagar visit, the government’s damage-control efforts, Pakistan’s role in the violence and the way forward in Kashmir:

How would you describe your two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir and the outcome of your meetings there?

I would like to say that the people of Kashmir welcomed my presence whole-heartedly. I met the top authorities of the state, got feedback from them and feel that my visit would assist in addressing their grievances and resentment.

Why do you think so many people were swayed by the separatists’ call for protest after the killing of Burhan Wani?

This is a matter of concern not only for me or for the state of Jammu & Kashmir but for the whole nation. At the same time, the presence of so many people at Wani’s funeral does not depict the mood of the entire state. I would say it was unfortunate.

What about the use of pellet guns? There has been much criticism about their use which led to eye injuries to so many youth, some of whom have been blinded?

We are concerned about those injured. I have spoken with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and assured her that any injured persons who are unable to get proper medical treatment in Kashmir can be sent to Delhi for treatment.

I have been speaking to my officers and we are doing an assessment to look at other non-lethal alternatives for crowd control. The use of pellet guns can be reconsidered.

What are the main concerns of Kashmiri youth?

I personally feel it is joblessness and lack of adequate economic activities which is at the heart of this. To tackle this, the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already initiated a series of socio-economic measures to address their aspirations.

Do you think your government’s economic measures that include special recruitment drives and economic concessions, can bring Kashmiri youth back into the national mainstream?

I would say the Kashmiris are still in the national mainstream and they need to be properly taken care of. Kashmiri youth does not want to take up guns. They want jobs. Even if there are some misguided ones, it is the duty of the government – both at the state and the Centre – to convince them to renounce the path of violence.

Do you think Pakistan played a role in the recent turmoil? What is your message for Pakistan?

Pakistan should stop meddling in the affairs of our country. That country itself is a victim of terrorism and bleeds every now and then. It should therefore stop instigating our youth to take up guns. Pakistan’s role isn’t pak (pure) in Kashmir and it must change its behaviour.

Almost 50 Kashmiri lives were lost in the violence. After your Srinagar visit, what is your action plan for assuaging bruised feelings of Kashmiris?

We must continue our efforts to dispel any wrong impression, if anyone is nurturing it. Misguided youth have to be brought to the national mainstream and emotional, social and economic measures are required for this.

In your home state of UP there has been a “gaali kaand” (exchange of slurs) between a local leader of your party and BSP chief Mayawati. Your comments?

I would say whatever has happened is unfortunate and should not have happened. Those guilty would be punished by the law.