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| New Delhi readying "Eid Gift" for violence ravaged Kashmir valley | | Slew of political, economic measure on cards | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Sept 4: Centre is all set to roll out series of confidence building political, economic and security related measures for addressing 'alienation' of masses and restoring order in violence ravaged Kashmir valley.
Sources in the state government maintained that union government is seriously considering to unveil the package as "Eid Gift" for the people of Kashmir valley who have been witnessing violence, stone-pelting and shutdowns since June 11 this year. They added that the gift would include general amnesty for the youngsters who have been booked under public safety act (PSA) for participating in stone-pelting alongside creating other law and order problems in various parts of Kashmir valley.
Sources further disclosed that a committee would be formed which would review the cases of PSA detenues on a fast-track basis and issue release orders of all those against whom charges are not of serious nature. They maintained that the committee would also have the mandate to review cases of even those detenues who are behind the bars since the last many years.
Sources asserted that some of the separatists who are still languishing behind the bars are also likely to be released. They said that centre is also seriously considering the policy related to resettlement of surrendered militants. State government is in consultation with centre for making necessary provisions for the rehabilitation of surrendered militants who would abjure violence and earnestly desire to join the national mainstream, added the sources.
Sources further said that while the state government has already constituted a judicial commission for inquiring into recent spate of killings in Kashmir valley, centre is considering reducing the strength of paramilitary troopers in Kashmir valley and substituting the same by raising battalions of JKP and JKAP from within the state. They said that with regard to withdrawal of army which has been the long drawn demand of separatists, centre has decided to keep the issue in the cold storage for the present time.
"Only paramilitary troopers are likely to be relocated. Army will remain stationed wherever it is presently. Army is likely to be relocated from the civilian areas of Jammu and Kashmir," added an official of the state government seeking anonymity. He stressed that relocation would be done as per the recommendations of a committee to be constituted for the same by the central government.
The committee would prepare a strategy of phased relocation of army from the civilian areas, added the sources. They said that these measures are likely to be announced anytime after the Eid-ul-Fitr. They further said that while few measures would be announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, rest would follow over a period of time.
Sources further said that centre has also readied an economic package for the people of Kashmir valley. They added that economic package would include employment for around 50, 000 unemployed youth of Kashmir valley. Sources further said that centre is also likely to take action over the recommendations of Ranagarajan Committee and announce concessions for the state of jammu and Kashmir.
They said that concessions would be inconsonance with the recommendations of C. Rangarajan committee and would be granted over a period of next five years. Sources further said that freeze on the direct appointments is also likely to be withdrawn.
Sources affirmed that alongside security and economic measures, centre is likely to revive internal dialogue with separatists and other groups of Kashmir valley. They disclosed that efforts are on organise a roundtable of both the mainstream and willing separatists either within or outside the country for resolving the present crisis. Sources further said that not only this, centre is likely to ask the mainstream political parties and separatist groups to evolve consensus over any one formula for resolving the Kashmir issue.
They said that for evolving the consensus, centre would constitute working groups and hold dialogue for the same. Dialogue would be both within the state and with the centre, averred the sources. Regarding AFSPA, sources said that Union Home Ministry has already circulated draft note with proposed amendments to the union law and defence ministries for their comments with a rider to furnish the same within shortest possible time.
Both the ministries have been asked to go through proposed amendments carefully and give their opinion on whether the same should be carried out or not. Once the opinion is received from these two ministries, sources affirmed that union home ministry would list the amendments before union cabinet for its approval.
Sources affirmed that centre is likely to invoke amendments in the AFSPA for Jammu and Kashmir through an ordinance which would later be ratified by the parliament within a period of six months. Sources further said that on the recommendations of the state government, centre is also seriously considering to revoke AFSPA from districts of Jammu, Kathua, Srinagar and Budgam while the amended act would remain in force in others parts of the state. |
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