Will not tolerate separatist movement, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir: Amit Shah

Replying to a debate in Rajya Sabha on the extension of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir by six months beginning July 3, he said the Modi government has “zero tolerance” to terrorism and central agencies such as NIA and tax department are working to choke separatist financing in the State.

Shah advocated new thinking to solve the Kashmir saying the approach of the past 70 years hasn’t yielded any result. “We want development in the (Kashmir) Valley. But we will not tolerate any separatist movement and terrorism. Terrorists who do not want to join with India have no place in the government’s scheme of things. They will face severe action and difficulties,” he said.

Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the statutory resolution for extending President’s rule as well as a bill to provide reservation to people living in three borders areas of the State. This completed the parliamentary approval process in both the cases.

The Modi government’s policy is to protect Kashmiri traditions, he said adding his government reopened schools, provided cooking gas, built toilets and provided electricity during President’s rule in the State. “We will win hearts of Kashmiri people,” he said.

Facing flak from the Opposition for not holding Assembly elections in the State alongside the recently concluded general elections, Shah said security agencies had expressed inability to provide security cover to all candidates. The Modi government will hold polls the moment Election Commission says it is ready to elections, he said after the opposition parties batted for early assembly polls during the debate. Shah said the Modi government struck at the heart of terrorist training when it carried out surgical and air strikes across the border after the Uri and Pulwama terror attacks.

Unlike in the past, foreign and defence policies have been segregated keeping national security at the core, he said. “We want peace with the world but there cannot be peace with those who do not respect our borders,” he said. He blamed the Kashmir problem to the ceasefire by first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru when one-third of the State was still in Pakistani occupation and said “historical blunders” will always be debated.