BJPs Kashmir stand still the same,says Jaitley

A day after the all-party parliamentary delegation,of which the BJP was a part,returned from Jammu and Kashmir...

A day after the all-party parliamentary delegation,of which the BJP was a part,returned from Jammu and Kashmir,the main Opposition party made it clear that its stated position on the Valley remained unchanged. It continues to oppose autonomy or self-rule as well as partial withdrawal or dilution in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act AFSPA,the party underlined on Wednesday.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley,who was part of the delegation,said the time had come to take firm measures to eradicate the idea of separatism.

Referring to suggestions that AFSPA could be lifted from some areas where the Army was not deployed,he pointed out that such a move would have serious implications as the Act was applicable to all armed forces including the CRPF and not just the Army. He argued that the CRPF and other security forces would think twice before acting against violent mobs if the AFSPA was lifted.

The BJPs reiteration of its hardline stance on Kashmir comes amid indications that the delegation members may meet on Wednesday to put together a report about their Jamp;K visit.

Giving an insight into the BJPs thinking,Jaitley said it was about time the government put its act together to win the war of nerves with the separatists. The message should be loud and clear that New Delhi was ready to listen to the views of the separatists but strictly within the limits of the Constitution and drive home the point that azadi was an impossible dream,he added.

At the same time,the senior BJP leader said security forces should draw a distinction between separatists and the common man and that they should ensure that women and children were not harassed.

While formulating the strategy,the Centre should also address inter-regional equity,he said reflecting the common refrain of neglect by Jammu,and Leh and Ladakh regions.

Story continues below this ad

Hitting hard at the separatists,he said such elements find relevance only in an atmosphere of tension and violence.