MPs want reduction of forces in Valley
The Centre is expected to consider a significant reduction of security personnel in civilian areas of Kashmir after the all-party delegation, which returned to New Delhi on Wednesday, submits its report to the home ministry. Government sources said a majority of the political parties felt there was a need for a “‘visible” reduction of forces,
particularly in residential areas in the Valley, to stop the alienation of people. This seems to have emerged as the highest priority for the Centre, which is keen to initiate confidence-building measures in the Valley. The sources said a decision on diluting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is unlikely anytime soon, but a redeployment of security forces in the Valley is possible.
Members of the all-party delegation are expected to meet in New Delhi again to frame proposals to place before home minister P. Chidambaram. These will then be put up to the Cabinet Committee on Security. Government sour-ces said the discussions between the leaders of some national parties and the separatists in the Valley had been a “positive” development. “The separatists cannot complain that their views had not been heard,” an official said.
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