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India concedes failure to control Kashmir situation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Srinagar, India, Sep 2, IRNA -- Eighty two days after the current unrest began following the death of a teenage boy in police action, Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram conceded that the government has not been able to stop the unrest in Kashmir.

Expressing concern at the situation, Chidambaram said, “Jammu and Kashmir continued to witness violent protests…….Our efforts to put an end to the cycle of violence are yet to bear fruit.”

He reiterated the government’s appeal to all sections to come for talks to resolve their grievances.

“Government is willing to talk to all sections of people from Jammu and Kashmir as well as all political groups to bring normalcy in the valley,” he said.

Chidambaram expressed hope that the government’s initiatives will help restore normalcy in the state at the earliest.

He pointed that the prime minister had convened an all-party meet of Jammu and Kashmir parties last month to find a solution to the problem.

Kashmir Valley has been on the boil since mid-June with 65 people killed till date as a result of clashes between stone-pelting mobs and security forces, who regularly have to restore to firing to control the situation.

Earlier, Chidambaram was asked about his statement at the conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police that the dialogue would be started in 'few days'.

'I can't give a date. Few days means few days...Government hopes that it will be able to re-start the process of dialogue in the near future,' he said.

Meanwhile Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Chidambaram in New Delhi Wednesday to discuss the latest situation.

According to a state government spokesman the Chief Minister reiterated the need to have a re-look at the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) and take suitable steps for its amendment / revocation.

He also made out a strong case for the Union Government to consider relocation of armed forces in the areas where it is not required, on need basis.

Omar urged the Union Government to announce a comprehensive employment package for the six lakh unemployed youth of the state.

He also urged the Union Home Minister to formalize a policy to rehabilitate Honourably released militants who have served their terms in jail and want to join the main stream.

The Chief Minister complimented the Union Home Minister for the statements made by him in the both Houses of the Parliament with regard to the state particularly his assertion that Jammu & Kashmir has acceded to India under unique circumstances and so is a unique problem which needs a unique solution.

Omar Abdullah also thanked the Union Government for the support extended by them to the State Government to tackle the prevailing law and order situation in the parts of the valley and hoped that the Union Government will take urgent steps to address the political aspect of the problem which he reiterated is the only way forward.