New Delhi, September 14: : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday made it clear that his government is ready to talk to Kashmiris within the ambit of Indian constitution. He also said that talks are only possible if they (protestors) abjure violence.
PM emphasised on the need for better delivery of services and generating avenues for economic advancement of the people of the state.
Addressing top commanders of the armed forces at a conference in New Delhi, he said, “Unrest in the state of Jammu and Kashmir over the last few weeks is a matter of concern. The youth of Kashmir are our citizens and their grievances have to be addressed.”
“We are willing to talk to every person or group which abjures violence, within the framework of our Constitution,” he added.
Earlier, even as Kashmir valley is on fire, state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is convincing key leaders that it is high that Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) withdrawn from from the Kashmir Valley. He met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Congress President Sonia Gandhi here on Monday before crucial Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting to discuss the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the Kashmir Valley.
Sources say that Omar met Chidambram for the withdrawal of AFPSA from urban areas and requested more amendments to the act to make it more humane.
During his meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Omar briefed her about the developments in the Valley.
Today`s meeting would be the third Cabinet meeting on the Kashmir situation since the stone-pelting violence erupted in the Valley on June 11.
The CCS comprises of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.
Omar Abdullah had earlier said the Kashmir problem requires a unique solution, as the accession of the State with India was in different and unique circumstances than that of other States of the country.
“We are trying that all issues be resolved through dialogue. Centre has also brought this on record–both in the Parliament and outside it that dialogue should be initiated in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir requires a unique solution as the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with rest of the country was in extremely unique circumstances,” said Abdullah.
When asked about his recent statement on revocation of AFSPA, Abdullah said: “I have not said any such thing. I have said we are thinking on it and we are discussing the issue with Centre. We have got two options with us.”
–Agencies–