Rajnath condemns atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat's Una

New Delhi, July 21 (ANI): Condemning the atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat's Una, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said what has happened in Gujarat is highly condemnable and such incidents must not be repeated. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said, "Keeping in view seriousness of the matter, the probe of the Una incident has been handed over to Criminal Investigation Department (CID-Crime Branch)." "I believe post Independence, there has been a fall in people's faith in politics and politicians. And thus, there is a need for all of us to take this 'loss of credibility' as a challenge. This challenge can only be overcome when people of nation will not merely see us as political workers, but as socio-political workers," said Singh. "We should not only be concerned about physical violence as verbal abuses equally insults and hurts a person. (Arun) Jaitleyji expressed regret and spoke in Parliament about what happened with Behan Mayawatiji, I too felt ashamed when I was informed about this. Our society should condemn such people," he said. Earlier speaking in the Lok Sabha on the situation arising out of violence in Kashmir, Singh assured the House that peace would soon be restored in the Valley. He informed the members that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of Home Affairs has given instructions to the security forces to exercise maximum restraint in handling protesters. He added that an expert committee would be set up that would examine alternatives to the use of pellet guns. Singh blamed Pakistan for the unrest in the Valley, saying the "terrorism in the Valley is Pak-sponsored". He said "Kashmir is the integral part of India" and Pakistan is "keeping an evil eye on it". The Home Minister said, "The neighbouring country instead of fixing its internal matters is trying to destabilise India." Taking a strong exception to Pakistan observing 'Black Day' after the killing of the Hizbul terrorist, Singh said, "The terrorist was involved in as many as various heinous crimes and activities." Singh sought support of all members to make united efforts to restore peace in Kashmir. He expressed hope the government would succeed in improving the situation with their supports. Expressing deep pain over the loss of lives in the violence, Mr Singh informed that 38 civilians lost their lives and one security personnel died while several other injured in the clashes which followed after Wani's death. Singh informed the Lok Sabha that the situation in the Kashmir Valley steadily returning to the normalcy. "Essential commodities are being supplied in the curfew clamped areas and the ban on internet has been lifted," he added. (ANI)