Omar favours early amendment of AFSPA

New Delhi, May 31 (PTI) Seeking a political solution to
the Kashmir issue, Chief Minister of India's frontier state of
Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah Sunday said the time has come
for initiating important confidence building measures which
included amendment of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

"The UPA has got a comfortable majority and it is in a
position to work out for a political solution to the Kashmir
problem. To begin with, we may set up an expert group which
may study the AFSPA and find out what were the rules that
needed to be amended for removing the draconian nature of the
Act," Omar, who finished his series of high-level meetings
with central leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,
told PTI here.

Asked whether the Indian government would be supportive
of any such move, the Chief Minister said several committees
have recommended amendment in the Act. "I am hopeful that this
will be expedited soon."

Expressing satisfaction over his meetings in Delhi,
Omar, who is the youngest serving Chief Minister of the
country, said "for finding a lasting solution to Jammu and
Kashmir, I have found the best of the advocates in United
Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Prime
Minister."

To a question about his talks with the Prime Minister on
beginning the internal dialogue process, he said, "We need to
talk to all shades of opinion which included both moderate as
well as hard line faction of Hurriyat Conference. As a Chief
Minister as I want to put an end to hartal and bandhs and
stone pelting incidents, which are only hampering the tourism
industry of the state."

An emotional Omar said, "can't these separatist groups
understand that a boatman, a taxi driver or a bus operator
needs daily bread and peace rather than these frequent strikes
or shut downs."

Asked whether separatists, including the Hurriyat would
respond positively to his talks offer, as and when extended,
Omar said, "anyone loving the people and this state will like
to sit across the table and work out a solution for lasting
peace. I want to ensure peace in the state so that
developmental schemes move on at a rapid pace."

Referring to People's Conference leader Sajjad Lone's
contesting the Baramulla Parliamentary seat in the recent
polls, Omar said "though Lone stood third in the results, he
at least had the guts to face the electorate."

About speculation that Lone will be nominated to Rajya
Sabha seat vacated by National Conference President Farooq
Abdullah, who won the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, Omar said he
was not aware of any such move. "In any case, every one needs
to fight for his political space," he said.

"I fought and lost in the first attempt from Ganderbal in
2002. I created my space later and found my foothold in the
state politics. I would rather suggest that everyone should
also go through the mill rather than making a back door
debut," Omar said.

On infiltration from across the border, Omar refused to
give a direct reply, saying "I would not like to go into
figures or who is to be blamed for this sneaking of
terrorists. I know and I am sure that the state police has
proven track record of fighting the enemies of peace and they
will be always successful."

The Chief Minister, when asked about the important tasks
ahead for his government, said unemployment was the biggest
curse but a study had found that the youths of the state were
"unemployable" because of lack of opportunities.

"We can’t accommodate everyone in government jobs and the
participation of private sector is virtually nil. What we need
is private entrepreneurs and that is possible only after we
ensure peace and stability in the state," he said.

The second important task ahead for the state government
was improvement of power situation in the state. "At least 11
per cent of the state population is yet to be electrified. We
hope that the Centre would help the state in tiding over this
peculiar problem," Omar said. PTI SKL
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