24 March, 2015

Welcome realism: Mufti finally hits out at Pakistan role and commits to zero tolerance on terro




Welcome realism: Mufti finally hits out at Pakistan role and commits to zero tolerance on terror
March 24, 2015, 12:06 am IST TOI Edit in TOI Editorials | Edit Page, India | TOI
J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has finally drawn a line in the sand on terror attacks emanating from Pakistan. His unequivocal condemnation of Pakistan’s role in fomenting terror in India is a welcome step particularly because his party is perceived as being soft on those who perpetrate violence, and immediately after being sworn in he had courted controversy by praising Pakistan’s role in relatively peaceful elections. Mufti has also reiterated his commitment to partial withdrawal of AFSPA, but the prerequisite for this is, first and foremost, peace in the state.
Recent attacks in Jammu are desperate and misguided attempts to distract the new government from its immediate task. J&K is still struggling with the aftermath of the worst floods in a century and rebuilding lives must be a priority for the Mufti government. Early strains in the PDP-BJP alliance after the release of separatist leaders should not come in the way of this larger goal. The PDP-BJP government walks a razor’s edge between the need to create the healing touch in the Valley as well as answering the needs of Jammu, but when it comes to Pakistan-based terrorism there is no space for anything other than zero tolerance.
On Pakistan National Day, PM Modi sent his wishes to PM Nawaz Sharif and said that dialogue can resolve all outstanding issues. Hurriyat members have also met and talked with the Pakistan envoy. Clearly in a break from recent acrimony, the Modi government is moving towards constructive engagement with our neighbour. Yet talks with Pakistan do not mean any compromise with India’s interests in J&K and the state needs to move beyond the old narrative where Pakistan foments terror and local politics remains mired in a Jammu versus Kashmir tug of war. A united face against militant activity and a ceaseless focus on governance is the only way Kashmir’s future can be rescripted

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