Kashmir India's; won't hesitate to cross borders: Rajnath warns Pak

‘Disturbing elements must learn real concept of jihad’

'First time stone-pelters need second chance'
-------------
'Won't allow Valley youth's radicalisation'
-------------
JAMMU: Asserting that no power in the world can take Kashmir away from India, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that there will be zilch hesitation for the forces of the country to cross borders to protect the country's territorial integrity, if the need arises.
Blasting Pakistan for giving political legitimacy to terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed, Singh also underlined the keenness of centre in resolving permanently the decades-old Kashmir issue, referring to appointment of the interlocutor, former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma for peace dialogue with stakeholders in the state.
Rajnath also touched the raw nerve to those attempting radiclisation of Kashmir's youth, asking them to first learn the real concept of jihad in Islam, while stressed that he had personally asked Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to ignore cases filed against the first-time stone-pelters in Valley, a major confidence-building measure which has been very popular in Kashmir. While addressing the CNN News18 Rising India Summit on Saturday in national capital, Singh said despite Pakistan's best efforts, Kashmir would never be separated from India.
"Kashmir was with India, Kashmir is with India and Kashmir will remain with India forever," he said
Praising the Indian Army for its valour to secure the country, Singh in a strong assertion said, "we not only secure India within but can also cross the border to protect the country, if needed.
"No one should take it otherwise, he said in sharp attack against Pakistan.
In September 2016, the Indian Army had carried out surgical strikes at the terror launch pads across the LoC and inflected significant casualties to avenge the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Home Minister said the government never differentiated between the children in Kashmir and those in the other parts of the country.
Singh said Kashmir's children were like his own and would not allow anyone to radicalise them.
"I want to tell those who are trying to teach jihad to innocent Kashmiri youths that they should first learn the real concept of jihad in Islam," he said.
The home minister said India wants to maintain friendly relations with Pakistan but that country was not keen for it, rather giving "political legitimacy" to LeT founder and 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
"Pakistan is now providing political legitimacy to a UN designated terrorist. Hafiz Saeed is now allowed to form a political party, he will contest elections and go to Parliament. Haqqani Network, which is responsible for killings of scores of people are being abeted and given protection. It is shocking," he said.
Singh, however, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved huge success in taking the fight against terrorism on international forum. Earlier nobody talked against Pakistan's terrorism, now the US has also condemned Pakistan, he said.
Referring to the appointment of the interlocutor, former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma, on the Kashmir issue, the home minister said the interlocutor would talk to everyone who was keen for dialogue.
The minister said he had personally asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to ignore cases filed against the first-time stone-pelters.
Following Singh's request, the Jammu and Kashmir government had withdrawn cases registered against 9,730 people involved in stone-pelting incidents, including first-time offenders.
"We have forgiven first-time stone-pelters. They might have been influenced by others. They are young. We need to give them a second chance," he said.
Singh also highlighted the government's efforts in dealing with Maoists and the inurgents in the Northeast.
He said the battle against Naxals can't be won through bullets and hence several developmental initiatives were taken in this direction.
"We are trying to reach those areas which have remained unreachable since independence. Naxalism was a huge problem for India but in the last four years we have achieved major success in that space," he said.
Singh said violence in the Northeast has come down by 75 per cent in last few years.