AFSPA may go partly
CBMs include compensation to victims
Agencies
New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Security will meet here on Friday to discuss the situation in Kashmir as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday evening met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking amendments in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) or its partial withdrawal from the State.
Omar, who flew in here and met Singh, also urged him to kickstart a political dialogue with the separatists at the earliest.
During the 45-minute meeting, Omar highlighted the need for amendments in the AFSPA to make it more humane.
"Yes, I have requested the Prime Minister to take a decision on amending the AFSPA or at best withdrawing it from some areas where it was not required. To begin with we may choose four districts in the state on experimental basis," Omar said after the meeting.
He said some calculated risks have to be taken... let us see."
Asked whether he was hopeful, he said, "If I am not hopeful, I won't be here."
On his meeting with PM, Omar said he had very good discussions with the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.
The chief minister also revealed that he discussed the five demands put forth by Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani with the prime minister and expressed hope for substantial announcement in this regard.
About Geelani’s arrest, the chief minister said only Director General Police and the state Home Secretary can speak on the matter.
Meanwhile, official sources said the CCS headed by the Prime Minister will be meeting on Friday to discuss and take a decision on AFSPA.
The Prime Minister had on Monday told editors that he would soon be calling a meeting of the CCS to "threadbare" discuss the Kashmir situation.
After the meeting with PM, Omar joined the 'Iftar' hosted by Singh at his official 7, Race Course residence.
While Omar remained non-committal about the districts, sources said that Srinagar and Ganderbal districts in Kashmir Valley and Jammu and Sambha districts in Jammu regions could be the first one from where the AFSPA could be withdrawn.
The Chief Minister also discussed threadbare a road map for its phased withdrawal beginning with the districts which have registered no or minimum violence during the past one year and in this context he gave examples of the four districts.
Besides resumption of dialogue with all shades of opinion and a review of laws, the Chief Minister also sought measures to deal with unemployment, the figure of which has gone upto six lakh over the years, a comprehensive package for people who have suffered during the present unrest and former militants who served their sentence and were without jobs.
The sources said among other things discussed were the relocation of security forces and a fresh surrender policy.
The Chief Minister said that there have been recommendations made by the Law Commission and Administrative Reforms Commission about the repealing of the act.
According to the sources, a peace package will be finalised at the meetings of the CCS and the cabinet and is likely to include:
- Lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the districts of Srinagar and Badgam in Kashmir and Jammu and Ramban in Jammu region. Now all the districts of Kashmir and Jammu region are placed under the AFPSA.
- Special compensation for the families of the 69 civilians killed in firing by police and paramilitary troopers in Kashmir during the past three months.
- Jobs and rehabilitation for surrendered militants.
- An employment package for the educated unemployed.
- Release of arrested youths and withdrawal of several cases related to stone-pelting.
“The central government will repeat its intention to begin a dialogue with "all shades of opinion in J&K", the sources said.
Sending an all-party parliamentary delegation to the violence-hit state will be another proposal to come up at Thursday's cabinet meeting.
Political circles have been hinting at a relief package to be announced on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr Saturday.
