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Omar
meets PM, Eid peace package likely
Thursday, September 09, 2010 11:41:14 AM,
IANS
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Will Eid
package bring peace? Kashmir has fingers crossed
The central and state governments are said to be working on an Eid
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separatist leaders do not seem to be enthused. With the cycle of
street protests and firing by security forces taking lives and
challenging the » |
New Delhi:
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh Wednesday evening amidst indications that the
government will announce an Eid package to restore peace in the
troubled valley.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will, meanwhile, meet
Thursday to review the situation in the violence-hit state.
"The PM had a one-on-one discussion with Omar Abdullah on the
situation in the (Kashmir) valley," an official in the Prime
Minister's Office (PMO) told IANS.
The Manmohan Singh-Abdullah meeting, held at 7 Race Course Road --
the official residence of the prime minister, lasted half-an-hour,
sources said. Later, Abdullah joined the Iftar party hosted by
Manmohan Singh.
Abdullah did not speak to the media after his meeting with the
prime minister.
"Today's PM-Omar discussions will be followed up at the meeting of
the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and later at the full
cabinet meeting Thursday," official sources told IANS.
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 security forces 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.
At least 69 civilians, mostly teenagers and young men, have been
killed in firing by security forces on stone-pelting street
protesters since June 11.
The cycle of violence has led to frequent shutdowns and curfew in
the valley for the past three months.
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