Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Central Government has decided to appoint interlocutors to solve the Kashmir problem. The Cabinet Committee on Security on Saturday offered the healing touch by doling out cash incentives for the strife-torn Valley and also requesting the Jammu and Kashmir government to set free those arrested for stone-pelting and related protests.
Just three days after the all-party delegation returned from Jammu and Kashmir, the Government spurned into action. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram briefed the Cabinet Committee on Security on the delegation's recommendations and the Cabinet cleared an eight-point initiative.
The initiative includes: the appointment of a team of interlocutors to engage with all groups in the Valley, Rs 5 lakh compensation to the families of those killed in police action, Rs 100 crore in grants to help rebuild schools, release and drop charges against minors and first time chargesheeters, review of Public Safety Act, scaling down of security bunkers, infrastructure packages to include Jammu and Ladakh, and steps to reopen all schools, colleges and exams to be conducted.
The initiative shows that the Centre focus is clearly on Kashmir's youngsters.
"We will advise the state government to immediately release all students and youths detained or arrested for stone pelting or similar violations of law and to withdraw all the charges against students and youths," said Chidambaram in New Delhi after the cabinet Committee on Security meeting.
Interestingly, the Central Government has put decisions like withdrawing the contentious Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA), lifting curfew and removing bunkers and check posts from civilian areas in state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's court.
"The Army has an important point of view which cannot be ignored. But the Army also does not get to decide unilaterally what can or cannot be done. It will be my effort in the Unified Command to forge a consensus on all the issues," said Omar.
The Hurriyat Conference Executive Committee said it would react to the announcement after meeting on Monday with the peaceful past seven days giving them much needed breathing space to consider all options.
The Central Government has attempted a deft balancing act by refusing to touch the controversial AFSPA on one hand and on the other offering measures like a review of the Disturbed Areas Act. But the question is this enough to bring down the chorus of azadi resonating in the Valley?
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