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National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has said he is “totally convinced” that a majority of Kashmiris support the abrogation of Article 370, and assured them that restrictions in Kashmir are aimed at preventing Pakistan from creating more mischief through their proxies and militants.
In a wide-ranging interaction with a select group of journalists, Doval said restrictions have anyway been eased progressively, and only 10 of the 199 police districts in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh now still have prohibitory orders, while land-line telephones have been restored 100 per cent in all three areas.
“There are Pakistani communication towers 20 kilometers along border, they are trying send messages, we heard intercepts, they were telling their men here ‘how so many apple trucks are moving, can’t you stop them? Should we send you bangles?'” he said.
“92.5 per cent of the geographical area of Jammu and Kashmir is free of restrictions,” Doval said.
On detention of political leaders, he said, “They are in preventive detention. There could have been problems in maintaining law and order in case there were gatherings, terrorists would have used the situation.”
“None of them (J&K political leaders) has been charged with criminal offence or sedition, they are in preventive custody till environment is created for democracy to function, which I believe may happen soon,” he said.
Doval said that everything is done according to the framework of law.
“They can challenge their detention in court,” he said.
“There is a vocal minority that opposes it. It appears to people that that is the voice of the people. That is not necessarily true,” he told the journalists, comprising Indian and foreign media.
