Union Minister of State for Home I D Swami on Tuesday said there was no question of de-escalation along the border till Pakistan stopped cross-border terrorism. Neither de-escalation nor any talks with Pakistan will take place until it satisfies India that it has stopped exporting terrorism, he told newspersons here.
Referring to All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Swami said there were indications that they will participate in the coming assembly elections in the state, but the Hurriyat are confused on the issue now.
The Centre's chief negotiator KC Pant had already talked to various separatist groups and efforts were on to persuade others to join the election process, he said.
The Centre was prepared to hold talks with separatist groups, including militants, without any pre-conditions but it will have to take place within the frame-work of the Constitution. On APHC's demand for separate election commission, he ruled out the possibility and said they will have to contest elections under the country's Election Commission.
On the package to border migrants in the state, the minister said the Centre had already purchased ten thousand tents for them and they will also be provided financial assistance. But this has been temporarily stopped due to elections.
Bureau Report