Notwithstanding, the lack of consensus in the All Party Delegation (APD) that visited Jammu and Kashmir, the Central government has, according to sources, decided to go ahead with some measures to break cycle of violence and generate confidence in Kashmir.
The government, official sources told Kashmir Life, was moving towards a “short, structured and a graduated response” to make peace a possibility. The steps included releasing prisoners, mostly youth detained recently during crackdowns on suspicion of being stone throwers. Some 300 suspected stone throwers cooling heals in various police stations across Valley may be released as first step. The government will also take a call on partial revocation of AFSPA from select areas. Finally, sources here said, additional battalions of central security forces would also be withdrawn from the Valley. The withdrawal aimed to create positive vibes in Kashmir has also been necessitated by the impending communal tensions arising out of the Babri Masjid court verdict now deferred for a week.
At the North Block office of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, four members of the delegation, leaders of opposition in parliament Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley (both BJP), Sitaram Yeshuri (CPI-M) and Joseph Toppo of Assom Gana Parishad sat down to prepare a report for the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
Though, there was no consensus on many points, they agreed to formulate a policy to reach out to the common man. The BJP and the Left members had serious disagreement on the formula to be adopted. BJP is opposed to any dilution in AFSPA while the Left is demanding its withdrawal, at least selectively.
Justifying his party’s stand, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said there was a misconception that AFSPA was meant to protect only the Army since it also extended to forces like CRPF and BSF.
After the meeting, the government however affirmed to go ahead with some measures to entice Kashmiri population to peace. The government sources, here said clearly that they “would not lose the little semblance of peace” that has come to Kashmir after the visit of the all-party delegation.
Arun Jaitely was seen walking out of the room, complaining that withdrawing of legal cover would affect the working of central security forces engaged in battles against stone throwers as the AFSPA was not applicable to army alone. He was responding to a suggestion that the law be withdrawn from selected locations, where armed forces were no longer engaged in operations.
The government sources, however, said they would not lose the opportunity of a semblance of peace and positive atmosphere created by the visit of delegation. They were clear that it is not possible to make everybody happy and a voice of dissent would not be a stumbling block to announce some confidence building measures (CBMs).
It is believed that the CCS scheduled to meet next week, will take a view on the basis of the report to be presented by the Home Minister on behalf of the delegation. They (the CCS) will assess the individual views of members as well, if seen to help the return of normalcy and peace in Kashmir Valley.
Opposing any concession on the AFSPA, Arun Jaitely sarcastically said once it’s withdrawn, these security forces will have to protect themselves and then Congress Sewa Dal will have to step in to protect the people. “Weakening the security forces will give the separatists an upper hand,” he said.
Recounting his observations during the visit, Jaitley said the government will have to shape its policy to “bring the common man to our side.” He said the government has to be tough in differentiating between separatists and the common man, and separatists and separatism. “Government will have to keep in mind whether the people are alienated from us or the separatists,” he said.
He said when thousands of stones are pelted and the security forces take action to stop violence, an incident triggers a feeling of “Kashmiri victimhood”. Jaitley advocated that the government take a tough stand on dealing with separatists, saying “whenever the government weakens, the separatists will win the battle of nerves”. Taking on Congress, he said “till the UPA government does not sincerely accept that Nehruvian thinking on Kashmir was faulty”, it will not be able to tackle the problem.
“Separate status to the state was a journey towards separatism, not integration,” he said, narrating an instance of the closing of a dental college in the state because no outsider wanted to go and teach there.
The spectre of children pelting stones at security forces had leaders of other political parties, including “secular” outfits such as RJD, expressing their disapproval. Rajya Sabha member Rajneeti Prasad, who was part of the all-party delegation, in his meeting with Mirwaiz Umer Farooq is said to have stumped him by asking why he was involving children in his politics.
Meanwhile, the Left reiterated its position that the Centre should talk to “all” sections. “We are prepared to reach out to every section to work out a solution within the Constitution. All matters can be resolved through a dialogue,” said CPM polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury.
Addressing a press conference in the Capital, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta suggested “selective withdrawal” of AFSPA, release of all protesters who have not been slapped with serious charges, creation of a parliamentary committee on Kashmir and an economic package that includes revival of all PSUs in the state.
