Mehbooba silent, Deputy welcomes

JAMMU: Even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti chose to remain silent on MHA's decision not to extend the conditional ceasefire in the state, her deputy was more forthcoming in his views as he welcomed the decision and maintained that that Security Forces will be given much-needed free hand to counter militancy in the Valley.

"The government may have its own view, but as far as BJP is concerned, I welcome this decision. We had given militants an opportunity to shun the path of violence, but they did not avail the same.

"It was not a ceasefire, but just the suspension of operations. Now that it is over, security forces are free to tackle the militancy in Kashmir again," said Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta in an exclusive interview.

There was over 100% increase in violence during the holy month of Ramazan as bloodshed continued during the conditional ceasefire, which was announced by the MHA against the will of coalition partner BJP, but supported by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and her party PDP.

When asked about the results of this ceasefire in Kashmir, Gupta said, "I think the results are not good. Now we will continue with strong action against them (militants), the operation All Out will also resume now."

He added that Security forces are doing really well in Kashmir, but Pakistan-sponsored people are still working in Kashmir and it will take some more time to wipe out such elements from Valley.

"When Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently visited J&K-- and even during Unified Command Meeting, we almost decided not to continue with this suspension of operation, as we do not want to demoralize the forces," Gupta disclosed that the working of government on this move was on since last few days.

"I make an appeal to people of J&K not to support radicalization and militancy, and also to the political parties not to do politics in its name," he added.

When asked if the Chief Minister who advocated for ceasefire during Ramzan failed to analyse the situation correctly, her Deputy contradicted his own views.

"No, it is not like this, but it was a good will gesture from CM, which has not given fruitful results," he said.

When asked of reports that police was preparing a list of stone-pelters, who have resumed this anti-social acts in Kashmir again, Gupta said, "A chance was also given to stone-pelters and if they will return to stone pelting, we will deal these with them with a stern hand."

On investigation in murder of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari, he said, "It is on. CCTV footage is helping investigation agencies to crack the case."

Gupta also said that a recce was done in the kidnapping and murder of army person Aurangzeb.

"It was a planned act. I agree that there were lapses in the security in both these incidents," the Deputy CM accepted.