New Delhi, August 25: Warning that there has been no let-up in attempts to radicalise the youth, Home Minister P Chidambaram today said a new phenomenon of “saffron terrorism” has now come to the fore.
Inaugurating a conference of chiefs of police forces of the country, Chidambaram also expressed concern over the situation in Kashmir Valley and hoped that in the next few days, a “starting point” would be found to reach out to protestors and restart the process for a dialogue.
“There is no let-up in the attempts to radicalise young men and women in India. Besides, there is recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past,” he said.
Chidambaram said beginning 2005 and with the exception of 2008, the law and order situation in J&K has been extremely benign with few incidents and fewer casualties.
Unfortunately, since June this year, there has been an unexpected turn of events, he said.
“I am afraid J&K is now caught in a vicious cycle of stone pelting, lathicharge, teargassing and firing, leading to casualties and resulting in more stone pelting,” he said.
The Home Minister said the security forces have been instructed to act with great restraint and the situation has not yet returned to normal.
Chidambaram said the Central government has acknowledged that a political solution must be found to the problems of J&K and the Central government has offered a dialogue with all sections of the people, political parties and groups of the state.
–Agencies