Author: Pioneer News Service
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: August 7, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/274559/Pak-now-stirring-up-civil-unrest-says-PC.html
hmir situation slipping out of control: Jaitley
In an effort to cool down tempers in embattled
Kashmir Valley, the Government on Friday announced a slew of measures, including
reactivating political process and holding talks for which it invited even
hawks like Syed Shah Geelani.
Stating this in the Rajya Sabha, Home Minister
P Chidambaram agreed with the BJP that Pakistan appeared to have changed its
strategy by fomenting more civilian unrest rather than the militant activities.
"Pakistan appears to have altered its
strategy. It is possible they believe in relying on civilian unrest that would
pay dividends," he said while clarifying his statement on Wednesday.
He was referring to the spate of stone-pelting
incidents in Kashmir that are being witnessed for the last two months. Chidambaram's
statement came after Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said there was a "significant
change in the strategy" by Pakistan's ISI and various agencies across
the border.
Cautioning that "situation was slowly
slipping out of control in Kashmir" Jaitley asked the Government not
to give any concessions as it would dilute the sovereignty of the country.
The Leader of Opposition said Chidambaram's
statement on Wednesday did not reflect seriousness and steps to resolve the
impasse. He also warned against any "knee-jerk reaction" and advised
against giving a political package as it would indicate "weakness of
the Indian state".
Jaitley said, "Any concession made at
this stage will further dilute the sovereignty and will lead to separatists'
dream that their demands are going to be realised some day."
Rejecting any proposal to dilute the Armed
Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as demanded by several political parties
and civil rights groups, he said while the political parties may have their
political compulsions but "while dealing with the situation, the Government
should not have a knee-jerk and panic reaction."
Chidambaram said the immediate priority was
to end the cycle of violence and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would meet
an all-party delegation from Jammu & Kashmir on Monday. The Prime Minister
would also hold parleys with leaders of all national political parties in
Parliament and the PMO was working out details.
He also said the proposal mooted by some Elders
to send an all-party parliamentary delegation to the State to assuage the
feelings of the people was welcome and the Government would look into it.
Welcoming the change in stance of separatist
leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who recently asked the people to refrain from
stone-pelting and damaging public property, the Minister said, "If it
marks a shift, we welcome it. We accept him at face value unless proved contrary."
Meanwhile, Geelani wasted no time in rejecting
Chidambaram's offer for dialogue. "I will not enter into a dialogue (with
New Delhi) nor would become part of any dialogue process," he said, adding
that he has time and again stipulated his conditions for the dialogue. "The
Government of India should accept Kashmir as a dispute. Demilitarise the region,
revoke draconian laws and pave way for the tripartite talks to clear ground
for the implementation of UN resolutions," he said.
Elaborating upon the proposed measures to
restore normalcy, Chidambaram said he was willing to start the process of
"quiet dialogue" again. The dialogue with moderate leaders of the
State came to an abrupt halt on December 4 last year following an assassination
bid against one the moderate leaders Fazal Haq Qureshi, he said and hoped
more moderate leaders would come forward for the parleys.
"We will pick up threads, reactivate
the political process so that a solution can be found with equity, justice
and honour," the Minister said, adding, "It is important to deliver
on our promises."
Referring to the issue of the Armed Forces
Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as some Elders wanted a re-look at it, Chidambaram
said, "It will be my endeavour to find a way how we can deliver on promise
on the AFSPA."
Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
was in favour of dilution of the AFSPA and several political parties of the
state besides civil rights organisations also wanted the act to be either
revoked or diluted.
The Central Government had sought the opinion
of the Law and Defence Ministries. The Defence Ministry did not approve of
the proposal and felt the Act was required to give legal protection to the
armed forces, while operating in peculiar situations like terrorism.
Noting that Jammu & Kashmir had acceded
to India in "unique circumstances", he said the State has a "unique
problem" and requires a "unique solution".
Disagreeing with some members that the security
personnel had used excessive force, Chidambaram said they have acted with
"great degree of restraint," although 1,000 personnel suffered injuries
in "raining" stones. "We will continue to advise the security
forces to exercise restraint," he said.
The Home Minister said the current situation
demands a "firm action" by security forces along with the State
Government reaching out to the people. "I think some lessons have been
learnt. The Jammu & Kashmir Government is reaching out to the people.
The Chief Minister has visited the injured in the hospitals," he said.
Chidamabaram rejected demand by Jaitley for
abrogation of Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu & Kashmir,
saying it did not offer a political solution to the problem that has been
festering for 63 years. An NDA delegation had made this demand when it met
the Prime Minister on Thursday.
As regards the ongoing strife, he said the
State did not witness even a single serious civilian strife from 2004 to 2009
except 2008 when nearly 100 people died on the Amarnath Yatra issue.
Chidambaram said the youth of Kashmir since
2004 were demanding setting up of IITs and IIMs there and words like Azadi
had faded away. However, Azadi issue was raised again now and he hoped "it
is a passing phase".
