DEVESH KUMAR
Indian Express
Posted on
TitlDeclare Emergency in J-K, go to war if need be -- RSS Author: DEVESH KUMAR Publication: Indian Express DatAugust 26, 2000 NEW DELHI, AUGUST 25: On the eve of the BJP's national executive in Nagpur, the RSS today hardened its stand on Government policy in Kashmir. Warning the Centre not to fall into the ``trap'' of a second ceasefire offer by the Hizbul Mujahideen, it asked the Government to declare a state of emergency in Jammu and Kashmir and cut off supply lines of terrorists in PoK. This ``even if it meant going in for a full-scale war with Pakistan,'' RSS spokesman M G Vaidya said. The RSS warning comes shortly before the Prime Minister goes to the United States where the Kashmir crisis is bound to figure, first at the United Nations General Assembly and later during the bilateral talks with US President Bill Clinton. While the RSS had kept itself aloof when the Government launched its peace initiatives with the Hurriyat and then with the Hizbul, it has clearly decided not to remain silent any longer. Speaking to The Indian Express, Vaidya said, ``The Hizbul faction operating from India is again advocating a ceasefire which is contradicted by their Pakistani counterparts. I view this as a trap and the government should not fall into it. The two months' time given for the ceasefire is not meant to prepare for peace but to prepare for more terrorist and war-like activities.'' ``In this situation, it becomes incumbent on the government to contain terrorism in the valley. To achieve this, it'll be necessary to sever their (terrorists') supply-lines located in the PoK. This may lead to a full-scale war with Pakistan, but one should not be afraid of it. We are in no way inferior to our neighbour and we need not be blackmailed by its nuclear threat,'' the RSS veteran added. Vaidya maintained that a hard line on Kashmir would not trigger adverse international reaction. ``International opinion, especially that of the western bloc, went against us after we went in for the nuclear tests in Pokharan. Now this has changed,'' he said, adding, ``Today, Russia is suffering from terrorism in Chechnya. The United States wants Osama Bin Laden to be handed over to it. The western world is seized of problems posed by the terrorism that goes on in the name of jehad. It is possible that we may not face any flak from the west,'' he observed. He asked the government not be wary of taking this step as there already was a Parliament resolution to this effect passed way back in 1994. ``This is thecountry's official position. After all, you'll be bombing those places which fall in the PoK and which are actually a part of Indian territory. We'll in effect be striking at the trespassers. The entire country will back the government on this,'' Vaidya claimed. Citing the case of Punjab, he said that terrorism in the state could be eliminated only when the supplies of arms, ammunition and money for the militants from Pakistan was stopped. Fortunately for Punjab, then then Chief Minister, late Beant Singh was successful in transforming the mindset of his police force, which initially had some sympathy for the militants. This transformation, he claimed, cannot be achieved by J & K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. ``The Centre, in these circumstances, should declare a state of emergency in the state by taking the Opposition parties into confidence. The present situation, in which an Army official of the rank of Brigadier could be killed, warrants such a step,'' the RSS leader said. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Overseas Friends of the BJP (USA) .............. Voic(718) 271-0453 54-15, 108th St. ................................. Fax: (718) 271-1906 Corona, NY 11368............................ WWW: http://www.ofbjp.org BJP's Websithttp://www.bjp.org Worldwide Friends of the BJ http://www.ofbjp.org/fob
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