Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday said the party’s core agenda was peace and development for J&K. The party said it will take up issue of return of Kashmiri Pandits with the government and other stakeholders after peace becomes a permanent feature in the state.
Addressing a press conference here, the party’s statespokesman for Kashmir affairs, Ashwini Kumar Chrungoo said return of KashmiriPandits to their home state wasn’t possible until peace prevails in the State.
“The group of KPs that met Hurriyat recently isn’t the realrepresentatives of Pandits. Our agenda is clear – peace and development firstand then other things will follow,” said Chrungoo, in response to a questionabout whether BJP was opposing Hurriyat Conference (M) move to explore ways tofacilitate return of KPs to Kashmir.
Recently a group of migrant KPs, met Hurriyat Conference (M)chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at amalgam’s Rajbagh headquarters to discusspossible ways for return of KPs to Valley.
Mirwaiz had later announced formation of a committee thatwould stay in touch with migrant KPs and find ways and means to facilitatetheir return.
“Our agenda is clear – let peace prevail first and then onlydevelopment can take place. The BJP will then take up the matter of return ofKPs with the government and other stakeholders. Our core agenda is peace, restof things can wait,” Chrungoo said.
He said if Hurriyat was serious about contributing towardsKashmir, it should work towards ending “fraud and deceit inflicted’ on peopleby mainstream parties since past 70 years.
The BJP state spokesman said for the permanent peace in theregion, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah has recently announced zero tolerancetowards militancy.
“For peace to become a permanent feature militancy has to bewiped-out from the State,” said Chrungoo. He said for establishing peace in Kashmir, Hurriyat must also persuadelocal militants to return and follow law of the land.
The BJP leader said party has taken up the issue ofinter-district road connectivity with administration so that tourism flourishesin the State.
He said BJP was also for eradicating drug abuse from Kashmirwhich is fast eating younger generation. “We want that death and destructionshould end,” Chrungoo said.
He expressed gratitude about women enjoying liberty inSrinagar. “This is a good sign for future,” he said.