'Real conspirators of Kashmir violence sitting across border'

Former Army chief General Shankar Roy Chowdhury has said the real conspirators and perpetrators of Srinagar violence are sitting across the border.

"One thing we must remember, the real conspirators and perpetrators of Srinagar street violence are sitting across the border. Our central police forces (CRPF) are combating the situation and so far my knowledge goes the army has not been involved," he told PTI on the sidelines of a symposium here last evening.

"Yes there had been reports of army having gone to search an area on specific tip-off, in a hostel but these are exceptional cases," he said.
 

"Barring certain exceptional situations where violence cannot be controlled first by the police and central paramilitary forces, then Army may be called only as the last resort," he said.

Asked about the situation in Kashmir, he said, "Since my days and till this date and in future as well the avowed principle and policy of this country has been, is and will be not to allow any division and we will all unitedly fight any bid to effect another partition. That will not be allowed," Chowdhury said.

The former army chief spoke at the symposium on Japanese thinker Dr Daisuku Ikeda's 2016 peace proposal 'Universal Respect for Human Dignity: The Great Path to Peace'.

"There had been instances of attack on human dignity as everyday news reports flash in papers and it happened in my country, right in my city where I grew up. It has in many cases affected me and people of my generation," he said.

Chowdhury said his education in value system of human beings fortunately had been shaped with his stint in Indian Army.

Curfew remained in force in Srinagar district today and two south Kashmir towns even as normal life in the Valley was paralysed for the 43rd day today due to unrest in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

As many as 64 persons including two cops have been killed in the clashes that began on July 9.