Terrorism main cause of Valley unrest, says Paswan

Terrorism in the main cause of the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir Valley, Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Saturday.

"Terrorism is the main cause of the ongoing unrest in Kashmir. While we are pained to see that innocent youth are killed after they are threatened by terrorists to throw stones at the security forces, it should be left to the army and the state government to deal with the situation," he told reporters here.

Noting that many people who had till now been living in the Kashmir Valley are going to other places to live a peaceful life, Paswan said that all problems in Kashmir would end once terrorism ended.

The Minister also criticised the separatist leaders for their treatment of some members of the all party delegation who had tried to call on them.

Replying a question on holding talks with the separatists, Paswan said the separatists will have to first accept that talks would be held within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.

"Till the time you (separatists) raise Pro-Pakistani slogans and their flags, there is no point holding talks," he said.

On the controversy raised by the opposition on the surgical strikes by the Indian army, Paswan said after Uri terror attack, the opposition had been ridiculing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and when time came to praise him, the opposition was feeling shy of doing so.

He said the army should be left out of politics and it should be given a free hand in dealing with terrorism.

--IANS

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