Sheikh Ahmed/Agencies
New Delhi, Sept 9: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet here later this week for a threadbare discussion on the situation in Kashmir amidst indications that Government of India (GoI) may initiate new steps to break the impasse.
Even as he disclosed the decision to convene the CCS meeting, Singh told a group of editors, "I cannot promise you that I will produce a rabbit out of my hat. The country must learn to be patient."
“The CCS meeting will review the political and security situation in the State especially the Kashmir and deliberate on many political and economic initiatives to reach out to the people of the state. The purpose is to end cycle of violence. The meeting will discuss threadbare how to tackle the situation,” Singh said.
Pointing out that the Kashmir problem has existed for 63 years and Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had all attempted to tackle it, Singh said, "we are still groping for a solution."
He said the internal dimension of the militancy has gone down but other issues remained.
In a reference to the current unrest in the Valley, the Prime Minister said there had to be a different attitude to riot control. “No lethal weapons but more humane methods should be used to deal with crowds,” he said.
Singh also favoured more and more powers be shifted to Jammu and Kashmir police. "Sometime it will work, sometimes it will not work," he said.
Making an appeal to the people to give peace a chance, he said, “My government has invested more than any other government in the peace process in Kashmir. I also made it clear in the all-party meet that political solution will address the alienation and emotional needs of the people. This can be achieved only through a sustained dialogue.”
Asked for his comments on the state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that the status quo was not an option, the Prime Minister said that they were in touch with and he would not like to engage in a public discussion on this.
Singh’s remarks came amidst reports that the Centre may launch a fresh initiative to break the deadlock in Kashmir by making concessions on the issue of Armed Forces Special Powers Act. It may also appoint an interlocutor to talk to various shades of opinion in the state.
Sources said the crucial meeting is expected to unveil the centre's future course of action on Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister has convened atleast three CCS meetings to discuss grave Kashmir situation. These meetings reviewed security and political scenario in the state. He also convened an all-party meeting to ascertain views of various political groups on the situation.
Singh is in regular touch with various political leaders on the Kashmir issue. CPM Leader Prakash karat also met him recently in this regard and favoured initiation of political dialogue. The Prime Minister also held meeting with Dr Karan Singh, Prof Saifuddin Soz, Farooq Abdullah besides Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
