HYDERABAD: The Union Government has failed to demonstrate its will to fight militants in the Kashmir valley, BJP President Murli Manohar Joshi said.
Speaking to newsmen on Friday, the BIP leader felt that the recent meeting convened by Union home minister S.B.Chavan ‘on the Kashmir issue has only “come out with platitudes and not any concrete plan to curb militancy in the Valley”.
Joshi had returned from a two- day election tour to Nandyal and Cuddapah Lok Sabha constituencies.
Joshi expressed surprise that the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah has been invited to the meeting converted by the home minister.
He said Dr.Abdullah had gone on record that he had sent 250 youths to Pakistan for training.
How can such a person be invited to a meeting convened to find a solution to the Kashmir problem”, the BJP leader asked.
The BIP president said the Union govt has failed to send the “right is” to the militants who are aided by Pakistan. The government should also ensure that the: activities of militants do not ex- tend to Jammu and Ladakh, which are strategic regions.
Besides abrogation of Article 370, which the BJP had been demanding, Joshi wanted formation of regional councils for Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir valley and allocation of budgetary provisions to them.
He said it was wrong to say that poverty and non-allocation of funds led to the growth of militancy in the Valley. Till 1990, nearly R.s 75,000 crore has been: Pumped into the Valley, he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 22, 1991
