SRINAGAR: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday called on neighboring Pakistan to crack down on terrorist groups operating from its soil, saying New Delhi’s sincere efforts for peace and friendship with its neighbor had been repeatedly thwarted by acts of terrorism.
The prime minister was speaking at a public rally at Wanpoh, a town about 55 km south of Srinagar, after inaugurating a train service aimed at forging stronger ties between Kashmir and the rest of the country.
“I hope that the government of Pakistan will take their ongoing actions against terrorist groups to their logical conclusion,” Singh said. “India had approached Pakistan for a meaningful dialogue to discuss all issues not as any sign of weakness, but from a position of strength,” he added.
India put on hold its 5-year-old peace process with Pakistan soon after last November’s attacks in Mumbai, which India blamed on the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The tensions in Kashmir led to tight security for Singh’s visit. Thousands of armed paramilitary troops and police in flak jackets were spread out across the state. Troops closed off roads with razor wire and installed jammers to block mobile phone signals in areas he was supposed to visit.
Shops, businesses and schools were shut across most of the state in response to a strike called by a separatist leader to protest Singh’s visit. “The shutdown conveys to the Indian prime minister that people reject the dialogue offer unless India withdraws its troops, releases prisoners, repeals impunity laws and accepts Kashmir as an international dispute,” Syed Ali Shah Geelani said.
In Srinagar, dozens of Kashmiris burned the prime minister’s effigy and chanted, “We want freedom ... Indian forces leave Kashmir!” Police dispersed them with armored vehicles.
Singh reiterated his government’s stance that it will hold talks with any political group that does not advocate violence in the troubled Himalayan region.
The Indian government is “willing to talk to anyone who has any meaningful ideas for promoting peace and development in Kashmir,” Singh said.
Last year, Singh opened one section of the train line that connects the southern part of the Kashmir valley to the north. On Wednesday, he inaugurated a new, 18-km segment.
The train line eventually will connect to the rest of India, though there is no timeline.
— With input from agencies
