BJP urges JK govt to harden stand towards separatists

Jammu : Asking the Mehbooba Mufti government to revise the “soft policy” towards separatists as it was affecting business and tourism in Kashmir, BJP on Wednesday demanded that security given to separatists be withdrawn and they be put behind bars. The party also demanded that concrete steps be taken to prevent the youths from being lured by terrorist groups. [caption id=“attachment_2823340” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file photo of Mehbooba Mufti. AFP[/caption] State BJP spokesman Virender Gupta said that despite their anti-India activities, the separatists were enjoying special privileges, including security cover provided by the state government. “The government should revise its policy towards the separatists. The government should withdraw the security given to separatists and put them behind bars under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for indulging in anti-social and anti-national activities,” he said. Expressing concern over frequent protests, violence and hoisting of Pakistani and ISIS flags in Kashmir Valley, he said, “All these incidents are taking place at the instigation of separatists.” “Recently, a separatist leader, along with his supporters, slapped a policeman who was discharging his duty in Srinagar,” he claimed. Gupta said “soft policy” towards separatists has on one hand encouraged anti-India forces and anti-social elements and on the other, demoralised security forces and the masses. “Soft policy towards separatists is demoralising security forces who are fighting to curb militancy and sacrificing their lives. These separatists are continuously disturbing the peace by holding the Valley to ransom thereby affecting business and tourism industry,” he said. Cautioning that the situation might worsen if steps are not take, Gupta asked the PDP-BJP coalition government to take strong action against separatists. The BJP spokesman asked the government to take concrete steps so that the youth of the Valley are not lured by the separatists and terrorist groups.