J&K Polls: Militants frustrated by high voter turnout, says Rajnath Singh

Pargwal border: Militants want to create fear psychosis among people in Jammu and Kashmir as they are frustrated by the high voter turnout in the ongoing assembly elections, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said and hit out at Pakistan for abetting terror acts.

Singh campaigned for party candidates and addressed three public rallies in Darhal and Thanamandi in Rajouri district and Pargwal border belt of Jammu district.

"Militants are frustrated due to the overwhelming public support to BJP in ongoing elections and high voter turnout of 71-72 percent which they never had thought of," he told reporters here.

Terming today's attacks in Kashmir as most unfortunate, Singh said, "These (incidents) are going on for a long time."

He said the militants crossed from across the border and fired at the jawans and securitymen at a camp. "They killed some jawans but our forces were successful in giving them a befitting reply."

Militants stormed an Army camp in Uri in Baramulla district, killing 11 security personnel, including a Lt Col, and followed it up with multiple attacks in Srinagar, Tral and Shopian.

Hitting out at Pakistan, he said, "Militants are entering this country from Pakistan and resorting to death and destructions here."

The minister maintained that Pakistan soil is being used to aid and abet terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Is it not true that these terrorists get shelter on Pak soil but they always keep denying the fact", he said.

He asserted that Pakistan should also stop ceasefire violations and develop a heart-to-heart relationship with India.

"This is our desire. We want good relationship with our neighbours," Singh said and referred to former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's statement that friends can be changed but not neighbours.

In Rajouri, Singh sought an answer from Pakistan, saying, "Why is it that people who indulge in terror activities hide in Pakistan? Shouldn't Pakistan answer this?"

He said Pakistan should take an initiative to stop all this and "if they can't stop, then they should talk to India. India is willing to help them."

He also alleged that some parties are spreading fear among the people in Jammu and Kashmir that if BJP comes in power in the state, it will create a divide.

"These political parties want to get votes by creating fear among people," he said, adding "BJP does not want support and mandate on fear factor but wants to win over people by love, compassion and development."

"BJP does not believe in politics of divide. We believe in everybody's support and development and a strong India. We believe that Hindus and Muslims should work shoulder to shoulder for strengthening the country," he said.

He also took a dig at the state government on the floods compensation issue, saying it failed to ensure adequate relief.

Seeking votes for BJP in forming a majority government in the state, he said Congress, National Conference and PDP have being ruling the state since independence but have not done justice to the people.

He also spoke on the issue of special police officers in Jammu and Kashmir deployed for security duty at a meagre pay of Rs 3,000 per month and said that the Centre is looking at a proposal to enhance the wages to Rs 5000.

On the spurt in militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP national General Secretary Ram Madhav said, "There is a conspiracy to stop the ongoing poll process in the state, our neighboring country is frustrated over the turnout in the first two phases of elections. Hence it is trying to disrupt the polls."

Without naming any country, he told reporters on the sidelines of a party function in Jammu, "A conspiracy is hatched from across the border to disrupt the poll process in the state by spreading violence and a sense of fear."