Reflecting the tone of the CRPF’s early-morning tweet: “we will not forget and forgive”, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh talked tough in Srinagar, pledging “to eliminate terror from J&K soon”.
“New Delhi will eliminate terror soon. We will not tolerate the terror backed by Pakistan and ISI. We are happy the people of J&K are with us in our fight,” said Mr. Singh, who arrived in Srinagar on Friday morning to pay tributes to the CRPF men killed in Thursday’s suicide attack in Pulwama.
“The nation will not forget them; the sacrifice will not go in vain,” Mr. Singh added.
The minister, who was accompanied by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik, advisor K. Vijay Kumar and Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subramanyam, visited the Army’s 92 Base Hospital to enquire about the injured CRPF personnel admitted there.
In an oblique reference to the separatists, the Home minister said there were some elements in Kashmir who were “hand in glove and paid agents” of Pakistan’s ISI. “Such elements will be dealt sternly. I have asked officers to review the security of those people who take money from Pakistan,” Mr. Singh added.
After chairing a security review meeting with top officials in Srinagar, Mr. Singh also revised the standard operating procedure for convoy movement in the Valley.
“Civilian vehicles will be halted till convoy passes. Civilians will have to cooperate,” said Mr. Singh.
Reacting to new SOP, former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah suggested to use special chartered trains between Banihal and Baramulla instead. “This move will be able to allow movement at high speed non-stop and they will be much safer than convoys. Also highways will be available for civilian traffic,” he said.
Commenting on violence in Jammu where 12 civilians were injured and scores of vehicles burnt by protesters, the minister said the State administration will take stern action against those trying to disrupt peace and damaging the communal fabric.
Curfew in Jammu
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of Jammu on Friday ordered imposition of curfew in Jammu city “to maintain law and order, public tranquillity and to protect life and property of general public”.
The move comes after protesters, mainly right-wring groups in Jammu, first held a protest rally in a particular community’s area in the old city and later allegedly clashed and set several vehicles on fire.
NC’s Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti sought intervention of Mr. Singh defuse tension in Jammu. “It should never have been allowed to reach this point. Pre-emptive measures should have been taken this morning knowing that it is Friday and congregations would assemble for prayers,” said Mr. Abdullah.
Jammu witnessed a shutdown on the call of Jammu Chambers of Commerce and Jammu Bar Association to protest against the killing of 37 CRPF jawans in the Pulwama attack.
“It will be a travesty and against the spirit of our secular ethno-cultural values to use this terror attack as an excuse to target minorities. I am distressed to hear about miscreants in Jammu trying to take advantage of the situation by inciting tension. The governor’s administration should have preempted this by securing minority dominated areas,” said Ms. Mufti.
