India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday gave his approval to the use of chilli-filled grenades for crowd-control measures in the restive Kashmir valley as an alternative to pellet guns. 
 
The Indian government was being criticised for the use of pellet guns as they were causing loss of eyesight among the affected protesters.&nbsp; 
 
The decision comes just a day before a delegation comprising representatives from India&#39;s political parties visit&nbsp;Kashmir on Sunday for dialogue with various stake-holders in the state. 
 
The interior minister cleared the file for use of Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide (PAVA) also called Nonivamide as an alternative to the pellet guns, official sources said. 
 
They said as many as 1,000 shells will be reaching the Kashmir Valley on Sunday. During his two-day visit to Kashmir on August 24-25, Singh had said an alternative to pellet guns will be given to security forces in the coming days. Pellet guns are, however, unlikely to be banned completely but will be used in &quot;rarest of rare cases&quot;, they said. 
 
(WION with agency inputs) 
 
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The use of pelargonic acid vanillyl amide (PAVA) is an alternative to pellet guns that will now be used in the 'rarest of rare cases'

India's interior minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday gave his approval to the use of chilli-filled grenades for crowd-control measures in the restive Kashmir valley as an alternative to pellet guns. The Indian government was being criticised for the use of pellet guns as they were causing loss of eyesight among the affected protesters. The decision comes just a day before a delegation comprising representatives from India's political parties visit Kashmir on Sunday for dialogue with various stake-holders in the state. The interior minister cleared the file for use of Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide (PAVA) also called Nonivamide as an alternative to the pellet guns, official sources said. They said as many as 1,000 shells will be reaching the Kashmir Valley on Sunday. During his two-day visit to Kashmir on August 24-25, Singh had said an alternative to pellet guns will be given to security forces in the coming days. Pellet guns are, however, unlikely to be banned completely but will be used in "rarest of rare cases", they said. (WION with agency inputs)

India's interior minister approves chilli-filled grenades for mob control in Kashmir

Appealing to people in Kashmir to help restore normalcy, Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh today said the Indian government wants an emotional relationship with the state and not just need-based, even as he warned Pakistan not to interfere in India&#39;s internal affairs. 
 
Sending a strong message to Pakistan, Rajnath also said the neighbouring country should change its attitude and approach towards Kashmir. 
 
Addressing a press conference here after winding up his two-day visit to the state after holding talks with Jammu and Kashmir state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and several delegations both in Srinagar and Anantnag, Rajnath said India will talk to whosoever needed, once peace and normalcy is restored in the state. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Want to make it clear that GoI does not only want to have a relationship based on needs with Kashmir but a emotional relationship: HM
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757178867236872192">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
 
&quot;As far as government of India is concerned, I want to make it clear that we don&#39;t just want need-based ties, but to build an emotional relationship with Kashmir,&quot; he said, reaching out to the people in the Valley while making a fervent appeal to them to help restore peace and normalcy in the state. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We will talk to whosoever needed once peace and normalcy is restored in the state (J&amp;K): HM Rajnath Singh <a href="https://t.co/NZYOOmQkOT">pic.twitter.com/NZYOOmQkOT</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757181186682785792">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
 
Attacking Pakistan on its role in Kashmir, he said, &quot;its role has not been &#39;paak&#39; (pure) on Kashmir. Pakistan should change its attitude and approach towards Kashmir.&quot; 
 
Singh hit out at Pakistan, which he said is itself affected by terrorism and to end it on one hand it is killing terrorists after entering the Lal Masjid, while on the other it is asking our youth in Kashmir to take to arms. 
 
&quot;This must stop,&quot; he said. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Pakistan&#39;s role isn&#39;t &#39;pak&#39; (pure) in relation to Kashmir. They need to change their behaviour: HM Rajnath Singh <a href="https://t.co/OjGsBNb83p">pic.twitter.com/OjGsBNb83p</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757182382759878656">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Pakistan is in itself a victim of terrorism, it should not encourage violence in Kashmir: HM Rajnath Singh <a href="https://t.co/hoQFMSJxlM">pic.twitter.com/hoQFMSJxlM</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757180891902930945">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
 
Appealing to the youth to not to resort to stone-pelting, Singh said he has asked the security forces to refrain from using pellet guns as much as possible even as he regretted the loss of lives. 
 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We will constitute a expert committee to find out ways to use of non lethal weapon. The committee will submit report in 2 months: HM
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757179601005281280">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces a day after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8 resulting in 45 deaths. 
 
&quot;If there are any differences or disapprovals, they can be resolved through talks mutually. Because there cannot be any other solution.&nbsp;I feel that if there is place of Kashmiriyat in democracy, it will only be of humanity,&quot; he said, adding that the people of the entire country want that Kashmir should once again become &quot;firdaus&quot; (paradise). 
 
Expressing sympathy with those injured during the ongoing unrest in the Valley, Singh appealed to the youth to desist from indulging in stonepleting. 
 
&quot;I appeal to the youth of Kashmir not to indulge in stonepelting and security forces should avoid use of pellet guns as far as possible,&quot; he said. 
 
Rajnath said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concerned about the situation in Kashmir and wanted the situation to improve as soon as possible. 
 
&quot;I am very concerned at the situation in Kashmir and our Prime Minister is also very concerned over it. Along with expressing regret over what happened here, I offer my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives.&nbsp;The Prime Minister spoke to me last night and discussed the situation (in Kashmir). He also wants that the situation should improve,&quot; he said. 
 
On revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, Rajnath said whatever has to be done on the issue will be done in consultation with the state governments.&nbsp;On his two-day visit, Rajanth said he met 30 delegations during which he got information and suggestions on how to restore peace and normalcy in the Valley. 
 
&quot;I also visited Anantnag and heard the people there for one hour. I appealed to people of Anantnag also to maintain calm and help in restoring peace and normalcy,&quot; he said. 
 
Replying to a question if India will hold talks with Pakistan over Kashmir, the interior minister there was no need for involvement of a third power. 
 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We don&#39;t need third party&#39;s involvement to address the situation that prevails in J&amp;K: HM Rajnath Singh in Srinagar (J&amp;K)
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757179965091766272">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
 
Rajnath, accompanied by Indian interior secretary and joint secretary in his ministry, took stock of the situation in the state which has been on the boil since past few days following violent protests that erupted in the aftermath of the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter. 
 
Asked about the suggestions of former Indian interior minister P Chidambaram on granting more autonomy to the state, he said, &quot;We will look into the suggestions made by Chidambaram once normalcy is restored in Kashmir&quot;. 
 
He said various delegations who met him informed about the injuries to several people due to use of pellet guns by security forces and he has assured them of treatment of the injured in AIIMS in Delhi. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I have conveyed to J&amp;K CM that if need be the injured can be sent to Delhi. Govt will make sure that they are treated at AIIMS: HM
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757181526962479104">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
 
Singh said he talked to Union Health Minister J P Nadda and asked him to appoint a nodal officer in AIIMS to ensure the treatment of all injured in Kashmir there. He said six people are already getting treatment there. 
 
The interior minister said the Indian government has also evolved a programme for providing employment opportunities to Kashmiri youth and engage them. 
 
(PTI)

Singh also 'warned' Pakistan to not interfere in India's internal matters, asked security forces to not use pellet guns

Appealing to people in Kashmir to help restore normalcy, Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh today said the Indian government wants an emotional relationship with the state and not just need-based, even as he warned Pakistan not to interfere in India's internal affairs. Sending a strong message to Pakistan, Rajnath also said the neighbouring country should change its attitude and approach towards Kashmir. Addressing a press conference here after winding up his two-day visit to the state after holding talks with Jammu and Kashmir state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and several delegations both in Srinagar and Anantnag, Rajnath said India will talk to whosoever needed, once peace and normalcy is restored in the state. Want to make it clear that GoI does not only want to have a relationship based on needs with Kashmir but a emotional relationship: HM — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 "As far as government of India is concerned, I want to make it clear that we don't just want need-based ties, but to build an emotional relationship with Kashmir," he said, reaching out to the people in the Valley while making a fervent appeal to them to help restore peace and normalcy in the state. We will talk to whosoever needed once peace and normalcy is restored in the state (J&K): HM Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/NZYOOmQkOT — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Attacking Pakistan on its role in Kashmir, he said, "its role has not been 'paak' (pure) on Kashmir. Pakistan should change its attitude and approach towards Kashmir." Singh hit out at Pakistan, which he said is itself affected by terrorism and to end it on one hand it is killing terrorists after entering the Lal Masjid, while on the other it is asking our youth in Kashmir to take to arms. "This must stop," he said. Pakistan's role isn't 'pak' (pure) in relation to Kashmir. They need to change their behaviour: HM Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/OjGsBNb83p — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Pakistan is in itself a victim of terrorism, it should not encourage violence in Kashmir: HM Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/hoQFMSJxlM — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Appealing to the youth to not to resort to stone-pelting, Singh said he has asked the security forces to refrain from using pellet guns as much as possible even as he regretted the loss of lives. We will constitute a expert committee to find out ways to use of non lethal weapon. The committee will submit report in 2 months: HM — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces a day after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8 resulting in 45 deaths. "If there are any differences or disapprovals, they can be resolved through talks mutually. Because there cannot be any other solution. I feel that if there is place of Kashmiriyat in democracy, it will only be of humanity," he said, adding that the people of the entire country want that Kashmir should once again become "firdaus" (paradise). Expressing sympathy with those injured during the ongoing unrest in the Valley, Singh appealed to the youth to desist from indulging in stonepleting. "I appeal to the youth of Kashmir not to indulge in stonepelting and security forces should avoid use of pellet guns as far as possible," he said. Rajnath said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concerned about the situation in Kashmir and wanted the situation to improve as soon as possible. "I am very concerned at the situation in Kashmir and our Prime Minister is also very concerned over it. Along with expressing regret over what happened here, I offer my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives. The Prime Minister spoke to me last night and discussed the situation (in Kashmir). He also wants that the situation should improve," he said. On revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, Rajnath said whatever has to be done on the issue will be done in consultation with the state governments. On his two-day visit, Rajanth said he met 30 delegations during which he got information and suggestions on how to restore peace and normalcy in the Valley. "I also visited Anantnag and heard the people there for one hour. I appealed to people of Anantnag also to maintain calm and help in restoring peace and normalcy," he said. Replying to a question if India will hold talks with Pakistan over Kashmir, the interior minister there was no need for involvement of a third power. We don't need third party's involvement to address the situation that prevails in J&K: HM Rajnath Singh in Srinagar (J&K) — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Rajnath, accompanied by Indian interior secretary and joint secretary in his ministry, took stock of the situation in the state which has been on the boil since past few days following violent protests that erupted in the aftermath of the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter. Asked about the suggestions of former Indian interior minister P Chidambaram on granting more autonomy to the state, he said, "We will look into the suggestions made by Chidambaram once normalcy is restored in Kashmir". He said various delegations who met him informed about the injuries to several people due to use of pellet guns by security forces and he has assured them of treatment of the injured in AIIMS in Delhi. I have conveyed to J&K CM that if need be the injured can be sent to Delhi. Govt will make sure that they are treated at AIIMS: HM — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Singh said he talked to Union Health Minister J P Nadda and asked him to appoint a nodal officer in AIIMS to ensure the treatment of all injured in Kashmir there. He said six people are already getting treatment there. The interior minister said the Indian government has also evolved a programme for providing employment opportunities to Kashmiri youth and engage them. (PTI)

India wants emotional relationship with Kashmir, says interior minister Rajnath Singh

In a statement issued late last night, the chief minister of India&#39;s northern state Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, urged India&#39;s ruling government to reach out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. And to resolve the issues confronting the state through reconciliatory efforts to help end the violence that has left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. 
 
?Indian home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Mehbooba Mufti and assured her of all assistance from the government at the centre. 
 
The pain of the Kashmiris has reached such a level that the hope of peace is certain to gain substantial local support if tangible confidence-building measures are taken to address the issues concerning the state and its people, the chief minister said. 
 
Mehbooba said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their age, gender, status or political affiliation, have been suffering the terrible consequences of the violence and turmoil that has wracked the state for more than two decades. 
 
They now want peace and stability to take root and even within the prevailing circumstances, there lies an opportunity to work on peace efforts should substantial steps be taken in the right direction. 
 
Seeking the people&#39;s cooperation in her peace effort, Mehbooba said the government is responsive to the people&#39;s needs and concerned about their problems, and is working judiciously and in a transparent manner to fulfil their expectations and aspirations. 
 
Flagging the problem of unemployment as a matter of grave concern, she said every section of society, including individuals, institutions, and organisations, have to be brought together in a spirit of creative enterprise. And that that would widen the economic and employment space in state, and in turn help channelise the youth&#39;s energies productively. 
 
Reacting to the deaths of civilians in the firing by security forces yesterday, Mufti asked that they follow standard operating procedure for crowd control and avoid the disproportionate use of force. 
 
&quot;Disproportionate use of force for crowd control results in loss of precious lives and grave injuries which should be avoided at all costs,&quot; she said. 
 
Urging for calm, Mehbooba sought the people&#39;s cooperation in restoring normalcy to the Valley. 
 
Violence only brings misery to the people and tragedy upon the victims&#39; families, she said. 
 
(PTI)

Say violence only brings misery to the people and tragedy upon the victims' families

In a statement issued late last night, the chief minister of India's northern state Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, urged India's ruling government to reach out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. And to resolve the issues confronting the state through reconciliatory efforts to help end the violence that has left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. ?Indian home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Mehbooba Mufti and assured her of all assistance from the government at the centre. The pain of the Kashmiris has reached such a level that the hope of peace is certain to gain substantial local support if tangible confidence-building measures are taken to address the issues concerning the state and its people, the chief minister said. Mehbooba said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their age, gender, status or political affiliation, have been suffering the terrible consequences of the violence and turmoil that has wracked the state for more than two decades. They now want peace and stability to take root and even within the prevailing circumstances, there lies an opportunity to work on peace efforts should substantial steps be taken in the right direction. Seeking the people's cooperation in her peace effort, Mehbooba said the government is responsive to the people's needs and concerned about their problems, and is working judiciously and in a transparent manner to fulfil their expectations and aspirations. Flagging the problem of unemployment as a matter of grave concern, she said every section of society, including individuals, institutions, and organisations, have to be brought together in a spirit of creative enterprise. And that that would widen the economic and employment space in state, and in turn help channelise the youth's energies productively. Reacting to the deaths of civilians in the firing by security forces yesterday, Mufti asked that they follow standard operating procedure for crowd control and avoid the disproportionate use of force. "Disproportionate use of force for crowd control results in loss of precious lives and grave injuries which should be avoided at all costs," she said. Urging for calm, Mehbooba sought the people's cooperation in restoring normalcy to the Valley. Violence only brings misery to the people and tragedy upon the victims' families, she said. (PTI)

Chief minister urges Indian government to reach out to Kashmiris

The government is examining speeches of controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, and has issued necessary orders in this regard, said India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh today. 
 
Singh was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Anti-Drugs Working Group meeting in New Delhi. 
 
&quot;We have taken cognisance of Zakir Naik&#39;s speeches and have issued necessary orders in this regard. The CDs of his speeches are being thoroughly examined. Whatever is justified will be done. I want to assure you that as far as the government of India is concerned, we will not compromise on terrorism under any circumstance,&quot; said Singh. 
 
The regional government of India&#39;s western state Maharashtra yesterday ordered a probe into the speeches by the Muslim televangelist. 
 
&quot;I have asked the Mumbai Police commissioner to conduct a probe (into Naik&#39;s speeches) and submit a report,&quot; Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI. 
 
India&#39;s information and broadcasting minister, M Venkaiah Naidu said Naik&#39;s speeches were highly objectionable. 
 
Naik has come under the scanner following revelations that one of the attackers involved in the assault in a restaurant in Dhaka last week was influenced by his speeches. 
 
According to a national daily of Bangladesh, an attacker, Rohan Imtiaz - the son of a politician of country&#39;s ruling Awami League - had even written a post on Facebook last year quoting Naik. 
 
Naik, however, had released a statement, saying he &quot;totally disagreed&quot; that he inspired the act of killing innocent people in Dhaka. 
 
&quot;There is not a single talk of mine where I encouraged one to kill another, whether Muslim or non-Muslim,&quot; he said. 
 
Six gunmen stormed a restaurant in Dhaka&#39;s diplomatic zone late on July 01 and killed 20 people, most of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the United States, in an assault claimed by Islamic State. 
 
It was one of the deadliest militant attacks to date in Bangladesh. 
 
Meanwhile, police and anti-riot forces were deployed outside the offices of Naik&#39;s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in Mumbai city as a precautionary measure. 
 
Naik&#39;s speeches are broadcast across the Indian sub-continent through his Peace TV with a viewership of at least 100 million, said media reports. 
 
Naik already faces a ban in the United Kingdom, Canada and Malaysia. He has made several controversial statements in the past. In a statement from 2006, Naik was caught on camera telling Muslims it was acceptable to embrace terrorism in certain instances. 
 
The radical preacher had also supported once dreaded militant Osama bin Laden in one of his speeches. Naik is also of the idea that homosexuals should be awarded death sentence. 
 
(Agencies)

Indian minister said Zakir Naik's speeches were being thoroughly examined and that 'whatever is justified will be done'

The government is examining speeches of controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, and has issued necessary orders in this regard, said India's interior minister Rajnath Singh today. Singh was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Anti-Drugs Working Group meeting in New Delhi. "We have taken cognisance of Zakir Naik's speeches and have issued necessary orders in this regard. The CDs of his speeches are being thoroughly examined. Whatever is justified will be done. I want to assure you that as far as the government of India is concerned, we will not compromise on terrorism under any circumstance," said Singh. The regional government of India's western state Maharashtra yesterday ordered a probe into the speeches by the Muslim televangelist. "I have asked the Mumbai Police commissioner to conduct a probe (into Naik's speeches) and submit a report," Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI. India's information and broadcasting minister, M Venkaiah Naidu said Naik's speeches were highly objectionable. Naik has come under the scanner following revelations that one of the attackers involved in the assault in a restaurant in Dhaka last week was influenced by his speeches. According to a national daily of Bangladesh, an attacker, Rohan Imtiaz - the son of a politician of country's ruling Awami League - had even written a post on Facebook last year quoting Naik. Naik, however, had released a statement, saying he "totally disagreed" that he inspired the act of killing innocent people in Dhaka. "There is not a single talk of mine where I encouraged one to kill another, whether Muslim or non-Muslim," he said. Six gunmen stormed a restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic zone late on July 01 and killed 20 people, most of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the United States, in an assault claimed by Islamic State. It was one of the deadliest militant attacks to date in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, police and anti-riot forces were deployed outside the offices of Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in Mumbai city as a precautionary measure. Naik's speeches are broadcast across the Indian sub-continent through his Peace TV with a viewership of at least 100 million, said media reports. Naik already faces a ban in the United Kingdom, Canada and Malaysia. He has made several controversial statements in the past. In a statement from 2006, Naik was caught on camera telling Muslims it was acceptable to embrace terrorism in certain instances. The radical preacher had also supported once dreaded militant Osama bin Laden in one of his speeches. Naik is also of the idea that homosexuals should be awarded death sentence. (Agencies)

India begins probe into controversial speeches of Indian Islamic preacher