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BJP backs govt on J&K: PTI

It endorsed the government's view that talks can be held with all parties and organisations in Jammu and Kashmir but they must be delinked from dialogue with Pakistan. The question of trilateral talks do not arise, it insisted.

After Union Home Minister L K Advani detailed the internal security scenario and the strategy adopted by the government to "expose" Pakistan internationally on its aid to terrorism in India, the two-day national executive adopted a resolution that congratulated the government for its "bold initiative" but drew attention to "certain realities that cannot be wished away".

"Lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir is a desirable objective. To achieve this, the party will stand by the government."

"But, at every step, the government must exercise extreme caution and make it abundantly clear to all that the Indian people's desire for peace should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness. The Lahore initiative was misconstrued and India gave a fitting reply. Let that remain the benchmark today and tomorrow," it said.

The resolution on peace initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir said it would strengthen the government's hands in its search for peace even while standing by it in fighting all anti-national, terrorist and separatist forces that are bent on scuttling the latest initiative.

"We reiterate our firm belief that India's territorial unity and integrity are non-negotiable. No peace can be lasting unless this is taken into account", it said.

Viewing developments in Jammu and Kashmir after Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's announcement of an extension of the cease-fire as encouraging, the resolution said the people of the state have responded to the initiative whole-heartedly.

Various organisations, including the Hurriyat have endorsed the government's move and offered dialogue. "There is an air of optimism in the Kashmir Valley, which has suffered grievously for more than a decade due to the blood-letting by terrorists armed, aided and trained by Pakistan."

Backing the government, the resolution said it was true that there had been a decline in overall violence in Jammu and Kashmir largely because the people were tired of being captives in the vicious cycle of violence that terrorism generates.

"At the same time, criminal Pakistan-based organisations like the Laskhar-e-Tayiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Muhammed and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen have stepped up their activities, as is evident from attacks on army camps in Jammu and Kashmir, the daring attack on the Red Fort and the open threats issued by Laskhar to continue its murderous activities, including an attack on the Prime Minister's Office.

"The government cannot afford to let down its guard against such organisations that continue to enjoy the patronage of the regime in Islamabad," it said.

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