Ahmedabad: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) general secretary Arun Jaitley on November 26 exhorted the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed-led government in Jammu and Kashmir to "come out with a clear policy and take harsh steps" to quell terrorism in the state.

Talking to reporters in Ahmedabad, Jaitley said, "even after free and fair elections in the state, Pak-sponsored terrorism was on the rise, which is evident from the recent happenings and attacks on religious places".

Continuing the diatribe against Congress-PDP (People's Democratic Party) coalition's "soft stand" against terrorists, he said "the policy of not implementing POTO (Prevention Of Terrorism Ordinance), releasing prisoners without proper screening and recalling the Special Operation Group needs reconsideration".

"They are the people of the state, who need a healing touch and not the terrorists", the former union minister remarked referring to Sayeed's rhetorical "healing touch" in the common minimum programme.

When pointed out that terrorism was on the rise even when National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s ally-the National Conference, was ruling in J&K, Jaitley said, "Whichever government is ruling, it should have a clear policy to counter terrorism".

"There is a need for harsh steps but the Congress-PDP government is continuing with its soft stance," he said.

PTI