Defence Minister interacts with troops in Valley. PTI

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 19

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said security forces would act very tough against militants in Kashmir while reiterating that any ceasefire violation from across the border would get “adequate response”.Jaitley, who also holds the defence portfolio, visited the Army’s forward positions on the Line of Control in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday morning.“It is very clear that terrorism and militancy is aimed against the Indian state, its sovereignty and people of Jammu and Kashmir. The effect of their actions is that besides security personnel, local citizens are losing their lives. Therefore, those who take to violence of this magnitude will certainly be accountable for their actions,” Jaitley later said at a press briefing on the conclusion of the 14th GST council meeting in Srinagar.The minister said the “aspiration of the people will have to be addressed when the state is in a peaceful format.” “When you take to violence, when you take to arms and you start killing security forces and your own people then you unleash a cycle which does not stop. Really, the aspirations will have to be addressed when the state is in a peaceful format,” the Union Minister said.He said the resources for the development of the state are used essentially for security.“You can’t have the energy of the state involved in just combating violence at various places. The resources which are meant for economic development of the people are today being used essentially for security…,” Jaitley said, blaming militants for unleashing the era of violence.He reiterated that the government was at present focusing on improving the situation in Kashmir. He said the roadmap for improving the situation was visible to everyone.“There is a section which will have to be dealt with security measures and there is a section which will have to be dealt with citizen-friendly measures, that is what we are trying to do,” he said.On the human shield case where a youth was roped to a jeep and ferried through several villages in Budgam, Jaitley said an investigation was already in progress.“Let us not forget that the Army is a responsible institution and the Army saved people who were both involved in the election process as well as a large crowd of protesters who had gathered there,” he said.Earlier in the day, Jaitley visited forward areas and interacted with Army officials and jawans. “I would compliment Indian Army for the level of preparedness and enthusiasm. Our soldiers are fully confident that they would not allow any form of infiltration to take place. And if there is any effort at any form of ceasefire violation, our soldiers will give an adequate response,” he said.Interacts with troops in Rampur sectorSrinagar: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who also holds the defence portfolio, on Friday visited forward areas in the Rampur sector of north Kashmir. Srinagar-based defence spokesman said the Union Minister was accompanied by General Officer Commanding of the Baramulla-based 19 Infantry Division Maj Gen RP Kalita. “The Defence Minister interacted with troops and praised their grit, determination and selfless service to the nation. He expressed happiness to be amid the soldiers,” the spokesman said. Jaitley said the entire country recognised the challenging circumstances that the soldiers were operating in and stood behind them in all their endeavours. The minister reiterated the need to maintain strict vigil at all times to thwart any nefarious designs of forces inimical to national interest, the defence spokesman said. TNS