ID :
65592
Sat, 06/13/2009 - 13:53
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Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/65592
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Centre promises to relook at AFSPA
Sumir Kaul
Srinagar, June 12 (PTI) On a visit to the valley against
the backdrop of agitations over the alleged rape and murder of
two women at Shopian in northern state of Jammu and Kashmir,
India's Home Minister P Chidambaram Friday promised action
against guilty and a relook into the law giving special powers
to armed forces.
Winding up his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir,
Chidambaram also expressed Centre's readiness to hold talks at
an "appropriate time" with all stakeholders to resolve issues
confronting the state.
He said the state government has briefed him about the
Shopian incident and it has been its intention to hold a
through inquiry and punish anyone found guilty.
"There will be proper action, proper follow up. If anyone
is found guilty, he or she will be punished." he said.
Referring to the demands for repealing the Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act, the Home Minister said that issue was
flagged by Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
during his meeting before the general elections.
"When I met the Chief Minister two months ago, I told him
that we will discuss the issue after the polls. I promised to
look into the matter. I would have to discuss the matter with
the Defence Minister and the Prime Minister," he said adding
the issue would be looked into in all earnestness.
"Leave the matter at this stage," he said.
Asked about the status of talks with separatist groups,
Chidambaram said, "We are all aware of the political issues
involved in Jammu and Kashmir...That process of dialogue will
begin at an appropriate time. We will have to engage everyone
in that process of dialogue".
"But when it (dialouge) will commence etc. etc. we will
discuss the matter and then we will make an announcement at an
appropriate time," he said.
The talks between the Centre and separatists of Kashmir
have been stalled since 2004, when the moderate faction of
Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq had held talks
with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Several round table conferences organised by the Centre
to discuss the issue were boycotted by the separatists on the
plea that they will not join "all and sundry".
The Home Minister said the government is trying to redraw
the responsibilities of the security forces in the state. He
said the Army is responsible for conventional defence and
counter-infiltration along the border.
"Army also comes in the aid of states in countering
terrorism. But we like army to do this in far away areas from
towns and cities. In inhabited areas, we believe, the
maintenance of law and order is the primary responsibility of
state police," he said.
Whenever the need will arise, paramilitary as well as the
Army can be called in to handle difficult situation, he said.
"This redrawing the responsibility will take time, I
can't give any timeframe. But that is the direction in which
we are going," Chidambaram said.
He assured the Chief Minister that Centre will extend aid
in every possible manner to improve the security environment
in the state.
"Fortunately, stability has been reasonably assured after
the elections to the Jammu and Kashmir state legislature and
to Parliament. The next step is to improve security
environment," he said.
Asked about the reports of infiltration from across the
border, Chidambaram said, "There is infiltration. Many
infiltrators have been neutralised at the border. But many
have been successful. They have come here to foment trouble".
He, however, said militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has come
down considerably. "Militant activities have been contained
and reduced," he said.
The Home Minister expressed concern about the increasing
agitations which interfere with normal activities of the
people.
"I appeal to everyone that agitational activities must
be contained and must not interfere in people's life. I
believe that most organisations have began rethinking on the
subject so that normal life can be carried on, normal
governance can also carry on," he said.
Chidambaram said the Centre would offer all assistance to
the state government for its development plans.
"I have assured the Chief Minister and the state
government that we will go back to Delhi and work out a proper
monitoring system so that the Prime Minister's Action Plan and
normal plan is implemented effectively in the state. Whatever
assistance is required, we will provide and it is our
obligation to do so," he said.
The Home Minister said that the state has some peculiar
problems deserving special attention.
"The special and unique problems of J and K deserve
special attention, special care. They will be addressed,"
Chidambaram said. PTI SKL
RAI
NNNN
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Srinagar, June 12 (PTI) On a visit to the valley against
the backdrop of agitations over the alleged rape and murder of
two women at Shopian in northern state of Jammu and Kashmir,
India's Home Minister P Chidambaram Friday promised action
against guilty and a relook into the law giving special powers
to armed forces.
Winding up his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir,
Chidambaram also expressed Centre's readiness to hold talks at
an "appropriate time" with all stakeholders to resolve issues
confronting the state.
He said the state government has briefed him about the
Shopian incident and it has been its intention to hold a
through inquiry and punish anyone found guilty.
"There will be proper action, proper follow up. If anyone
is found guilty, he or she will be punished." he said.
Referring to the demands for repealing the Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act, the Home Minister said that issue was
flagged by Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
during his meeting before the general elections.
"When I met the Chief Minister two months ago, I told him
that we will discuss the issue after the polls. I promised to
look into the matter. I would have to discuss the matter with
the Defence Minister and the Prime Minister," he said adding
the issue would be looked into in all earnestness.
"Leave the matter at this stage," he said.
Asked about the status of talks with separatist groups,
Chidambaram said, "We are all aware of the political issues
involved in Jammu and Kashmir...That process of dialogue will
begin at an appropriate time. We will have to engage everyone
in that process of dialogue".
"But when it (dialouge) will commence etc. etc. we will
discuss the matter and then we will make an announcement at an
appropriate time," he said.
The talks between the Centre and separatists of Kashmir
have been stalled since 2004, when the moderate faction of
Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq had held talks
with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Several round table conferences organised by the Centre
to discuss the issue were boycotted by the separatists on the
plea that they will not join "all and sundry".
The Home Minister said the government is trying to redraw
the responsibilities of the security forces in the state. He
said the Army is responsible for conventional defence and
counter-infiltration along the border.
"Army also comes in the aid of states in countering
terrorism. But we like army to do this in far away areas from
towns and cities. In inhabited areas, we believe, the
maintenance of law and order is the primary responsibility of
state police," he said.
Whenever the need will arise, paramilitary as well as the
Army can be called in to handle difficult situation, he said.
"This redrawing the responsibility will take time, I
can't give any timeframe. But that is the direction in which
we are going," Chidambaram said.
He assured the Chief Minister that Centre will extend aid
in every possible manner to improve the security environment
in the state.
"Fortunately, stability has been reasonably assured after
the elections to the Jammu and Kashmir state legislature and
to Parliament. The next step is to improve security
environment," he said.
Asked about the reports of infiltration from across the
border, Chidambaram said, "There is infiltration. Many
infiltrators have been neutralised at the border. But many
have been successful. They have come here to foment trouble".
He, however, said militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has come
down considerably. "Militant activities have been contained
and reduced," he said.
The Home Minister expressed concern about the increasing
agitations which interfere with normal activities of the
people.
"I appeal to everyone that agitational activities must
be contained and must not interfere in people's life. I
believe that most organisations have began rethinking on the
subject so that normal life can be carried on, normal
governance can also carry on," he said.
Chidambaram said the Centre would offer all assistance to
the state government for its development plans.
"I have assured the Chief Minister and the state
government that we will go back to Delhi and work out a proper
monitoring system so that the Prime Minister's Action Plan and
normal plan is implemented effectively in the state. Whatever
assistance is required, we will provide and it is our
obligation to do so," he said.
The Home Minister said that the state has some peculiar
problems deserving special attention.
"The special and unique problems of J and K deserve
special attention, special care. They will be addressed,"
Chidambaram said. PTI SKL
RAI
NNNN
The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.
