We accept separatist voices; no place for violence: Chidambaram

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Honourable solution to Kashmir problem

Warning to Pak over infiltration

Minister P. Chidambaram said here on Wednesday that the government was working on an honourable solution to the Kashmir problem and that separatist voices would be heard but stressed that there would be 'no place for violence'. He also said that infiltration from Pakistan was on the rise.

"There will be a unique, honourable and acceptable solution to the problem in Jammu and Kashmir. We are working on it," Chidambaram told reporters on the sidelines of the All India Editors' conference on social and infrastructural issues.

The Home Minister said that the government was not afraid of talking to anyone.

"We accept separatist voices. We will talk to all shades of opinion in the state, but there is no place for violence," he said.

Chidambaram reiterated that the government was committed to ending militancy in the state and noted that the situation had improved considerably.

"We will end militancy here. The security situation is much better and improved and we are trying to find solutions to the many problems in the state," he said.

He said that the state police would have a frontal role in maintaining law and order and addressing the security issues in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chidambaram also said the government was working on a "quiet diplomacy and this would only be made public after the desired results were achieved".

But he said there has been an increase in infiltration to India from Pakistan in the past two to three months.

"A spurt in infiltration has been seen after the general elections and the number did rise in the last two to three months from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan," Chidambaram told reporters here.

The home minister, however, said that infiltration is likely to come down during the winter.

The Home Minister also said that the central government may ban pre-paid mobile phone connections in the state because of security concerns.

Chidambaram assured that the prime minister's reconstruction programme would address the problems of unemployed among the youth in the state.

Union Home Minister (HM), P Chidambaram asked Pakistan to stop assisting terrorists and pushing cross border infiltration, while outlining the Centre’s policy aimed at finding a lasting solution to the problems in J&K.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Union Home Minister spoke on a wide range of issues such as terrorism, law & order, need for a dialogue to end the political chaos, infiltration and socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir, which he termed as the “most valuable state”.

SECURITY SITUATION: While cautioning media to avoid the unbiased and inaccurate reporting, Chidambaram said the situation in J&K has improved in the recent months and the Pakistan-backed militancy has reduced sharply.

“There is a marked improvement in the situation in J&K. Some five or six years ago there were thousands of incidents of militancy and infiltration. But today the security situation is much better. In the first nine month of this calendar year we have reported only 395 terrorism-related cases, which is the lowest in all these years,” he said.

Chidambaram said, “We don’t have any problem with the people of J&K. The main problems come from infiltration, which take place from the Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK). We know that the authorities there have been training our youths, brain washing them and assisting them in sneaking into India with specific task to unleash mayhem in the pursuit of a misguided jihad”

He agreed that there has been an increase in infiltration to India from Pakistan in the past two to three months.

"A spurt in infiltration has been seen after the General Elections and the number did rise in the last two to three months from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan," Chidambaram told reporters here.

The Home minister, however, said that infiltration is likely to come down during the winter.

"We have not been able to completely stop infiltration but have brought it down due to strict vigilance by our security forces," he said.

Chidambaram said that terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is solely due to infiltration across the border.

Elaborating specific details about casualties in J&K, he said, “We have reported 60 civilian deaths and 66 casualties in the security forces while dealing with militancy, and as many as 185 militants have been neutralised by the security forces in the past few months.”

Chidambaram also complimented the security forces for their role in reducing militancy and preserving peace in the state.

POLICY OF ZERO TOLERANCE: Coming down heavily on Pakistan-sponsored militancy, Chidambaram said that there is no place for violence in J&K whatever may be the political cause. However, he assured that the Centre was fully committed for holding parleys with every section of the society here.

“Government will have dialogue with every section of political opinion in J&K. We acknowledge that there are several political parties, disorganised groups, some political outfits supporting secessionism in J&K but we are still ready to hold talks with each and every one to find a lasting solution for all problems,” he said.