New Delhi: In an extremely determined re-assertion of the NDA’s zero-tolerance for militancy in Jammu & Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised those who have been advocating a soft touch towards separatists in Jammu and Kashmir.

Responding to a direct question from TIMES NOW on Rahul Gandhi’s vow to dilute the provisions of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) to reduce the alienation of the people in the troubled state of J&K, the Prime Minister said that militants and separatists can only be dealt with a ‘hitting touch’. The ‘healing touch’, the PM said should be reserved for the civilians of the state.

Replying to a volley of question Prime Minister said “We follow the principles of Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. Humanity, Democracy and Kashmiriyat – we are treading this path. We and the country are ready for extra healing touch for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh but there can only be hitting touch for militants. Declaring that “We will have to make a clear demarcation that healing touch is for the citizens and hitting touch for the militants”, Modi said “They believe in the exact opposite of this. They want a healing touch for separatists and militants and a hitting touch for Central government. This is wrong”.

Saying that “this extra healing touch is for the policemen who are dying in Kashmir, the army jawans who come home for weddings in their families and being killed – they need a healing touch, the Prime Minister said “there are children who are making the country proud in sports competitions, they need a healing touch. They need an extra healing touch. I am willing to walk that mile to provide them with that but there will be no healing touch to separatists and terrorists. I will not let them be given that treatment and will only give them hitting touch”.