Outgoing Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi on Wednesday said talks with separatists in Jammu & Kashmir are a possibility but these have to take place without any conditions. He also said the Attorney General will help the Supreme Court with regard to the legal aspects of Article 35A of the Constitution under which special rights and privileges are granted to the “permanent residents” of the State.
While talking to the media, Mehrishi, who is demitting office on Thursday, said Home Minister Rajnath Singh has made it clear “many, many times” that the Central Government was open for dialogue in Kashmir. “We want to talk. I don’t think that any talks can take place with pre-conditions,” Mehrishi said while replying to a question on whether the Centre was inclined to hold talks with the separatists in J&K without any conditions.
He said there was “no doubt” that Pakistan has been sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir through various ways, including funding terrorists. “Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism, Pakistan is ensuring infiltration to Kashmir and Pakistan is funding terrorism in Kashmir,” he said.
Asked about the alleged alienation of the Kashmiri youth, Mehrishi said alienation is a “concept of Delhi media” and the real issue for Kashmir is terrorism and radicalisation. “Radicalisation and terrorism are the main issues, which we are dealing with. As one Chief Minister had said 95 per cent people in Kashmir want peace. The youth in Kashmir have the same aspiration, like any youth in rest of India, of good education, good job and a good life,” he said.
“There are 4-5 cases on Article 35A in the Supreme Court. These are only legal issues. The Attorney General will help the Supreme Court,” said Mehrishi.
To questions on the reports of Mehrishi being considered as new Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, he quipped, “I will be going to Jaipur tomorrow noon”. He also said he has no information on the possibility of present Governor NN Vohra putting in his papers ahead of the completion of his second term a few months later.
Referring to the ongoing NIA probe on terror funding, he said the agency was carrying out a “free and fair” investigation and it will be taken into its logical conclusion.
“Action will be taken against all those who are found guilty as per law,” he said.
Asked about the recent stand-off between Indian and Chinese forces in Dokalam and ladakh, the home secretary said the Indo Tibetan Border Police, which comes under the home ministry, is not deployed in Dokalam but in ladakh only.
“But stand-off like situation in ladakh keeps happening. There was no extra ordinary situation,” he said.
Rajiv Gauba, a 1982-batch IAS officer of Jhakahnd cadre, will take charge as new Home Secretary on Thursday. Gauba was Urban Development Secretary and headed HMA’s Naxal Division earlier.