Govt's policy aimed at bringing normalcy in Kashmir: Jaitley

The policy of the government is aimed at bringing normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.
Responding to a question on the Centre's proposal to withdraw cases against first-time stone-pelters in Kashmir Valley, he said that the government's aim was to ensure peace and it worked on the basis of what steps were required to bring normalcy back.
"There was a situation when civil disobedience was at its peak. Thousands of stone-throwers used to come out. Terrorists were picking their targets at will. Hurriyat (Conference) would give a call whenever they liked and everything was paralysed," Jaitley told reporters here.

He said the situation today has changed. Security forces have an upper hand and it has become difficult for stone- pelters to gather a crowd. "The Hurriyat leadership has been exposed," he said.
Through its new initiatives, the government intends to engage with all who want to talk to ensure return of normalcy.
"What efforts are to be made will be decided by our special representative and the state government," he said.
The Centre has appointed former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma its special representative for Kashmir.
Taking the suggestion of the Centre's special representative forward, over 4,500 cases against youths involved in stone pelting for the first time will be dropped in a bid to win hearts in Kashmir Valley, officials said yesterday.