The Indian Express

SRINAGAR

Launching a veiled attack at Pakistan for the present uprising in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that a “small percentage” of population is holding the “majority at ransom” in the Valley.

Addressing a joint news conference with US defence secretary Ashton Carter at the Pentagon, Parrikar alleged that “forces from across the border” are trying to spread violence in the Valley.

“As far as Kashmir is concerned, I think the government of India has been very proactive. A few small percentage is holding the majority to ransom,” he said.

When asked about the current situation in Kashmir, he said curfew has already been lifted.

“Kashmir actually has a government which is democratically elected and the Chief Minister belongs to the Valley,” he said.

An all-party delegation, led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, will visit Srinagar on September 4.

Expressing regret and remorse over the loss of lives in the Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Sunday said that any life lost in the state, whether of any youth or any security personnel, is India’s loss, adding that those instigating young, innocent children will have to answer to them someday.

(The news report originally appeared in The Indian Express.)

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