Centre wants Jammu and Kashmir govt to crack down on those fuelling unrest

The centre wants the state government in Jammu and Kashmir to crackdown against radicalized groups that it designates as “agent provocateurs” who fuel unrest in the Valley. Home Minister Rajnath Singh is in the Valley today to meet a cross-section of people, in a bid to end the ongoing turmoil

The centre wants the state government in Jammu and Kashmir to crackdown against radicalised groups that it designates as “agent provocateurs” who fuel unrest in the Valley.

Kashmiri protesters shout pro-freedom and anti-Indian slogans during mourning and protests held in Srinagar on August 22, following the killing of teenager Irfan Ahmed by security forces.(Waseem Andrabi / Hindustan Times)

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is in the Valley Wednesday to meet a cross-section of people, in a bid to end the ongoing turmoil.

The centre, however, has conveyed to its alliance partner in the state, the PDP, that it will have to deal firmly and swiftly with radicalised groups, most of whom are affiliated with the Jamat-e-Islami.

It wants the state government to keep its end of the bargain, by ensuing law and order in the state is maintained.

A source, who is privy to the meeting between the BJP-PDP brass and the government officials, said that the centre assured the state of all help, but laid down the condition that radicalized groups will be tackled.

Read: Protester killed in clashes with security forces as Rajnath reaches Kashmir

The central government has dispatched a company of BSF personnel and additional forces to help the state government.

“ A list of as many as 80 agent provocateurs has been identified and the state government has been told to take suitable action. The centre, for its part, will offer whatever additional help is required. There is urgent need to prevent the killing of innocent people,” the source told HT.

The home minister’s visit, the source said, is the BJP’s way of assuring people that their “genuine grievances will be addressed”.

Delhi’s message to the PDP, which was considered to have a tacit understanding with radicalized groups such as the Jamatis in the past, is that it will have to take though decisions.

The centre has blamed Pakistan for funding and encouraging these agent provocateurs, who in turn are allegedly motivating youth to join the ongoing unrest, often resorting to stone pelting.

“These groups are separate from the arm wielding militants and the separatists. The government knows who they are and what needs to be done,” the source said.

Regarding the opposition’s demand for a political solution in the state, a senior BJP leader told HT that these parties have been reluctant to come on board.

“We are open to talks with all stakeholders, but the separatists don’t want to talk to the government. As for opposition parties, we ask them, what is the solution that they have to offer? Is any party ready to talk about Azadi?” a senior BJP functionary said.