CCS meets, discusses package for Kashmir

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met in New Delhi on Monday to discuss a package for Jammu and Kashmir hit by a fresh bout of violence since Eid last Saturday.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met in New Delhi on Monday to discuss a package for Jammu and Kashmir hit by a fresh bout of violence since Eid last Saturday.

HT Image

The pros and cons of a phased withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some areas in the border state as part of the package were deliberated at the crucial meeting.

The meeting reviewed the present situation in the Valley where four more people were killed today in the surge in violence. The toll in the three-month unrest in the Valley has risen to 75.

Hours before the crucial CCS meeting, J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had separate meetings with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram during which a political package for the state figured during the deliberations.

The Chief Minister had also met other Union Ministers yesterday including Health Minister and Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad whose support was sought for a political package to the state.

The Defence Ministry, which has been opposing any moves to withdraw AFSPA, indicated at one of the meetings recently that Army should never be called for any assistance in those areas where the Act was repealed.

Besides AFSPA, Omar has also urged the Government to kick-start a political dialogue with the separatists at the earliest. CCS also discussed measuress to incorporate certain provisions in AFSPA to make it more "humane".

The Law Commission and Administrative Reforms Commission are also in favour of repealing the act.

The Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Veerappa Moily, now Law Minister, has endorsed withdrawal of AFSPA or at least incorporation of some measures, which prevents giving sweeping powers to the security forces.

The Prime Minister had also constituted a committee headed by Hamid Ansari before he became the Vice President, to find ways for improving internal confidence building measures. The Ansari panel had recommended revocation of AFSPA in the state.

Besides resumption of dialogue with all shades of opinion and a review of laws, Omar's strategy envisages measures to deal with unemployment with six lakh jobless youth, a comprehensive package for people who have suffered during the present unrest and former militants who served their sentence and were without jobs, sources said.

Among other issues discussed at the CCS meeting were the relocation of security forces and a fresh surrender policy.