CWC discusses steps to peace in Kashmir

The Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body, on Monday expressed serious concern over the "worrisome" situation in Kashmir and stressed the "need for taking urgent steps" to restore peace in the Valley. Aurangzeb Naqshbandi reports.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body, on Monday expressed serious concern over the "worrisome" situation in Kashmir and stressed the "need for taking urgent steps" to restore peace in the Valley.

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The meeting, which was presided over by party chief Sonia Gandhi, also finalised the schedule for the Congress president's election — polling, if necessary, will be on September 17 and results would be declared four days later.

That P Chidambaram was specially called to brief the CWC indicated the party's "strong concern over the unabated cycle of violence" in Kashmir.

The Home Minister gave a "status report" of the situation in Kashmir and is understood to
have described it as "worrisome".

Before him, J&K party chief Saifuddin Soz had also briefed the leadership.

Chidambaram gave a detailed account of the sequence of events that unfolded after a student was allegedly killed in police firing on June 11.

"Everybody...is concerned. There are concerns of infiltration and ongoing terrorist activities. The CWC also noted that the youth is being misguided by elements with vested interests," party general secretary and media department head Janardan Dwivedi said.

A CWC member denied that the option of imposing Governor's Rule was discussed but appeared non-committal when asked if the meeting reviewed the "overall functioning and handling of the situation" by J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah.