‘J&K political solution soon’
Home minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday said contours of a political solution to the Kashmir problem were expected to emerge in the next few months.
Addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on home affairs on “Matters relating to Jammu and Kashmir”, the home minister said the first and second reports of the group of interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir have dealt with confidence-building measures. Participating in the discussion, the MPs said that efforts must be made to evolve a political consensus on the Kashmir issue at the national level.
“Contours of a political solution to the Kashmir problem are likely to emerge in the next few months,” an official statement quoted Mr Chidambaram as saying.
The members on the Consultative Committee suggested amending the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and speedy rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. The home minister said that a proposal to amend the Act is under consideration.
The home minister also appreciated the work done by the interlocutor group and asserted that the “Kashmir issue is a political issue for which a political solution must be found.”
However, peace and good governance are pre-requisites for reaching a political solution.
Mr Chidambaram also said violence being witnessed in the state was of two types and needs to be dealt differently.
“The violence perpetrated by militants and infiltrators must be dealt with in a strong and resolute manner. On the other hand, the violence witnessed during protests by residents of the state requires deft and sensitive handling,” he said.
The minister pointed out that after the government announced an eight-point plan for the state recently, the situation there has improved considerably.
“This process must be strengthened. Space must be allowed for peaceful protests. Governance and delivery on the ground must improve,” he said.
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