Stone pelters in Kashmir are not Satyagrahis, but aggressors: Jaitley

Jammu: Acknowledging that situation in Kashmir is "serious", senior union minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday asserted that there can be no compromise with those indulging in violence as he described stone-pelters as "not satyagrahis but aggressors" who target police and security forces. He slammed Pakistan for the current unrest, saying it was "attacking the integrity of India" in a "new way" after failing to snatch Jammu and Kashmir by waging wars and fuelling trouble ever since partition in 1947 and vowed to defeat this design too. As the unrest continues in Kashmir, Jaitley outlined the Modi government's priorities, asserting that there will be no compromise with those indulging in violence even as efforts will be made for development of the state which was "denied" for the last 60 years. "Now this time, a serious situation has emerged in which Pakistan, separatists and religious forces have joined hands and now with a new way, they are attacking the integrity of India," he said addressing a rally on the outskirts of Jammu city while talking in the context of ongoing 44-day unrest in Kashmir. Referring to stone pelters, he said, "they are not satyagrahis but aggressors. If a police post manned by 10 police personal is attacked by 2000 stone pelters, it is an attack, but some people do not realise it." Describing the situation as a "major challenge", he said, "today in such a challenge, the need of the country is that we don’t compromise with the integrity and security of the nation." He asked people of Jammu and Kashmir to stand with the country in the "struggle against the separatists" so that "this new phase of Pakistani strategy of war is defeated this time as well". Prime Minister Narendra Modi has three priorities for Jammu and Kashmir, said Jaitley, Minister of Finance. Listing these priorities, he said, "There will be no compromise on the security and integrity of the country and no compromise with the people who indulge in violence. "Secondly, as Jammu and Kashmir has faced violence and wars, it needs development which was denied for past 60 years by National Conference and Congress governments. Thirdly, Jammu, being the support base of BJP, needs added attention." His outlining of the priorities assumes significance as the opposition has been accusing the Modi government of having no policy with regard to dealing with the unrest. The opposition parties have been pressing for a political solution and dialogue to address the unrest.