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Indian gov't distances itself from Indian-controlled Kashmir minister's remarks

Xinhua, March 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Indian government on Monday dissociated itself from controversial remarks of the Chief Minister of the Indian-controlled Kashmir, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in which he thanked "people across the border" for the peaceful assembly elections in the Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Sayeed made the remarks after his swearing in as the chief minister Sunday, after his PDP party formed the local government in alliance with the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

But, facing massive backlash from opposition parties in the Indian Parliament this morning, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said: "Our government and BJP fully dissociates with the statement of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed crediting Pakistan and Hurriyat for smooth conduct of assembly."

The Indian home minister gave the credit for the peaceful elections to the country's independent Election Commission, armed forces and the people of the region.

After taking oaths in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sayeed had said: "I want to say on record and I have told this to the Prime Minister, that we must credit the Hurriyat, Pakistan and militant outfits for the conduct of assembly elections in the state. People from across the border made the atmosphere conducive. "

India and Pakistan have fought at least three major wars concerning Kashmir over the past 60 years. Endi