Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 15: Seeking implementation of confidence building measures on priority basis before initiating a comprehensive peace process for resolution of Kashmir imbroglio, Kashmir Policy and Strategy Group has submitted a memorandum to the President of India.
In the memorandum, the Group has stressed that resolution of the Kashmir imbroglio should be accorded time bound highest priority, for which all the stakeholders, including those who for various reasons have not been part of the mainstream politics, should be engaged for identifying and resolving all the contentious problems and issues.
“A detailed action taken report on the recommendations made so far by the various Expert Groups should be put in public domain for eliciting feedback from all the concerned sections of the society while grievances of all the sufferers of insurgency and militancy, including migrants and displaced persons, should be addressed to create a congenial environment for peace and development and all the victims should be suitably compensated,” says the memorandum.
The Policy Group has also suggested that use of lethal weapons, such as pallet guns/bullets, by the security forces, should be banned and all those who have suffered physical damages should be medically treated and financially compensated.
Further, the memorandum adds, conducive socio-political environment should be created for return of native Kashmiri Pandits back in the Valley within a time frame and diplomatic environment through back and official channels should be made to carry forward the spirit of Shimla Agreement to sort out the contentious issues with Pakistan.
“Efforts should be made to ensure sustainable and equitable empowerment of all the three regions, Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir regions. Devolution of resources should be planned and executed on the basis of requirements of each District and region. All the political prisoners and other detainees against whom no serious cases are made out should be released and invited for participation in a credible peace process. All the democratic institutions should be strengthened and, accordingly the Panchayat institutions should be duly operationalised to ensure proper implementation of Central schemes like education and other poverty alleviation programs on health care etc,” says the memorandum, which also stresses for effective implementation of the Centre’s schemes, namely, J&K Students Special Scholarships for post secondary education and Udaan for promoting employment so as to remove alienation among the Kashmiri youth.
The Policy Group has opined that the initiatives taken by the Central and the State Governments in respect of these points for action, would surely improve situation in the J&K State, which in turn would facilitate the long-term objectives of restoring peace, prosperity and development of the State.
Maintaining that India’s political and strategic interests are intertwined with the welfare and goodwill of the society in the J&K State, the Policy Group has reiterated that a holistic political process needs to be evolved to resolve the imbroglio keeping in view the expectations and aspiration of all the sections of population of the State, particularly the youth.
Signatories to the memorandum, include; Ashok Bhan ( Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India and Chairman, Kashmir Policy & Strategy Group), H K Dua (former MP, Ambassador & Editor-in-chief, Hindustan Times). A S Doulat (former Secretary R&AW and Adviser to former PM on J&K State), M M Ansari (former official Interlocutor for J&K State), Syed-e-Husnain (Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard University), Prof B B Dhar (Chairman Kashmir Education and Culture society), Aman Sinha ( Senior Advocate and BJP Spokesperson), Siraj Qurashi ( president India Islamic Cultural Centre), Iftikar Gilani (senior Journalist, Bureau Chief of DNA), Gaurav Bhatia ( Advocate, Secretary of Supreme Court Bar Association) and Paraveer Bagchi (former Chairman of PM’s Programme Implementation Committee & Security Expert).
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