Kashmiri Pandits township issue can’t be influenced by separatists: Kiren Rijiju

“It has to be in the interest of the state, interest of the people only. So, I cannot spell out till things are finally decided,” Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju told reporters in Srinagar.

The Centre on Friday said that no final decision has been taken on creating separate settlements for Kashmiri Pandits as the process of consultations for their return was on but asserted that the government “cannot be influenced by separatists” who work at the diktats of Pakistan.

“I will not be able to spell out the details of the policy because nothing is finalized yet. The consultation process is going on and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir and Ministry of Home Affairs, we all have to come together and take a call.

“It has to be in the interest of the state, interest of the people only. So, I cannot spell out till things are finally decided,” Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju told reporters in Srinagar.

The Union Minister maintained he cannot make a statement just on the basis of the preliminary work.

“We have a very effective elected government. After the overwhelming participation in the democratic process by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has been installed; now the process has to be through proper consultations between the state, Centre and Ministry of Home Affairs. I cannot just make a statement on the basis of the preliminary works,” he said.

Referring to separatists’ call for a shutdown on Saturday against the proposal of separate settlements of Pandits, the Union Minister said there were elements in the state who wanted to create problems for the country.

“There are elements in the state who definitely try to wipe up the sentiments of the people which will create problems. So my appeal would be that people should work together and not get brainwashed or influenced by those elements who want to create problems for the country and for the society,” he added.

In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Rijiju said, “We cannot be influenced by people working at the diktat of the outsiders and all. Anybody indigenous of Jammu and Kashmir, we are Indian citizens, we have to talk to each other. Dialogue and discussion is the process.”

Alliance partners PDP-BJP in Jammu and Kashmir have spoken in different voices on composite townships for settlement of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed saying no separate clusters will be built for the displaced community while Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh made it clear that there was no change in Centre’s view on it.

Source:: Indian Express