Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, June 5: “We cannot wait for last gun to fall silent,” Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today as he made a strong pitch for repeal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the State.
Supporting his demand, 43-year-old Omar asked that if no AFSPA-like laws are required to be imposed in Naxal-affected areas where heinous crimes are being committed by Naxalites, how it could be necessary to keep such laws in force in the areas in J&K which have become by and large peaceful?
Strongly advocating repeal of AFSPA at the Chief Ministers’ Conferences on Internal Security, which was chaired by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, he said he has been continuously pitching for partial and gradual revocation of AFSPA from the areas where peace has prevailed and militancy related incidents have diminished considerably.
Omar said he also highlighted this issue in the meetings with the Prime Minister, Home Minister and at various Unified Command Headquarter meetings and other fora and also with former Home Minister P Chidambaram.
“Though these are the fora where such issues are raised for getting noted for required action, yet if someone feels that I should write DO (demi official letter) to the concerned in this regard, I will definitely do the same,” he said, adding, “We cannot wait for last gun to fall silent before moving ahead positively on this important issue.”
He asked the Centre for setting in motion a mechanism which could guide in repealing of the act from the State.
Omar also chose to raise the issue of arrest of Liyaqat Shah by Delhi Police and warned that such incidents would derail the entire process of bringing back youths from Pakistan occupied Kashmir who wanted to join the national mainstream.
“There is urgent need for economic and social rehabilitation for those who are returning to the State from PoK under this policy. We have to facilitate their economic and social rehabilitation,” Omar said and sought a joint programme by the Union and the State Governments on this.
He said the return of youth under rehabilitation policy would also help solve the issue of disappearance of people to a greater extent as many of them who had crossed the LoC during the period of disturbance.
About the allegations of youth from his State being harassed in various parts of the country, Omar stressed on putting in place a mechanism to ensure that the students and professionals pursuing their goals in the country could access the authorities concerned in those States in case of any emergency.
He also asked the heads of various States to direct their police forces to ascertain the veracity of facts and antecedents of residents of J&K from the J&K Police Force in case of any inquiry or suspicion, before taking any action or making any arrest.
He also underlined the importance and significance of the voices of mainstream political parties be registered properly to avoid the chance of letting separatists hijack the situations.
On rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, Omar pitched for enhancing the package for them to facilitate their return to their native land and urged the Centre to enhance assistance under accommodation package for the community so that they could construct their houses.
Highlighting the continued improving situation in the State, he said the year 2012 was by far the best in the past 25 years in terms of all parameters and all indices of violence have shown a constant and continuous decline.
“Most people will share my optimism that the overall security situation in the State of J&K has improved significantly, and as of now, there are many districts of the State which have not witnessed militancy related incidents for quite some time,” he said, adding this “gives us the confidence” that some of special laws like AFSPA need to be revisited.
“I have been consistently advocating for phased withdrawal of AFSPA from the State, in the beginning from the areas which have been free from militancy for quite some time,” he said and cited the recommendation of working groups set by the Prime Minister as well as report of interlocutors who also recommended revocation of AFSPA.
“Keeping in view the improved security scenario, I would strongly urge the Government of India to set in motion a mechanism which can guide us for the removal of AFSPA,” he said.
Advocating for early resumption of talks with separatists as well as Pakistan, Omar said, “I am of the firm belief that all outstanding issues, however, contentious they may be, can be resolved through a process of sustained and sincere dialogue.
“I strongly hold the position that a constructive and a meaningful dialogue with people holding different shades of opinion in the State can narrow down the differences and facilitate towards a common agreed solution,” he said.
Similarly, there is also a need to resume the dialogue with the neighbouring country and further add to the list of confidence building measures, he said.
“The improved relations between India and Pakistan have a definite positive impact in the security situation in the State of Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister said that the youth of the State had been making great strides in education and other fields as the number of candidates qualifying the central civil services examination was increasing year after year.
“… However, our students pursuing studies outside the State in different parts of the country and those in other professions need a conducive and safe environment to enable them to realise their dreams and contribute in nation building,” he said and appealed to other Chief Ministers as well as the Centre to promote and provide safe environment to the people of the State who are pursuing their studies and vocations.
“This will be a positive step in boosting their confidence and encourage them to move to different parts of the country for seeking educational and employment opportunities,” he said.
On the security situation, Omar said that the last few years witnessed a tangible improvement in the overall security and law-and-order situation.
“This is amply reflected in reduced number of terrorist attacks, casualties of security forces and civilians. This favourable situation has been made possible as a result of effective steps taken by the counter-insurgency grid comprising the Army, the central paramilitary forces and the State Police.”
He complimented the people for cooperation with police and security forces saying their desire for peace have strengthened the hands of the state police and security forces in taking on the militancy upfront.
“The local police is playing increasingly an active role in counter-insurgency operations and is gradually taking over the responsibilities of maintenance of law and order. I hope in the years to come, the State Police would be in a position to take on the challenges on its own and reduce the requirement of central forces,” he said.
“During the year 2012 there was a significant decline in all types of casualties, 54 per cent of security forces and 40 per cent of the civilians,” he said, adding 2013 continues to show improvement in the security and law and order scene.
“So far, in the current year, the terrorist related violence has declined by 34 per cent and as against 47 terrorist related incidents during the corresponding period of the last year, we have seen 31 such incidents this year.”
Omar said even though the situation has improved considerably, some incidents that were witnessed in the last few months demonstrate that the militants still possess the capabilities to strike and, therefore, there is a need to maintain continuous pressure against them.
“Our strategy, on ground, has been to deal firmly with militants, and at the same time, avoid any collateral damage, as far as possible, in order to prevent a situation which can be exploited by the inimical forces,” he said.
As the security scenario in the state continues to improve, the tourists feel safe to visit the state and even foreign countries have begun to withdraw adverse travel advisories so that their citizens can also come, he said.
The State Government was also making concerted efforts to reduce the foot prints of security forces from the inhabited areas and also to vacate the Government and private buildings occupied by the security and paramilitary forces, he said.
So far, 179 schools, 37 hospitals, 33 hotels, 919 private buildings, 264 Government buildings and 27 industrial and other establishments have been vacated and restored for their original use, he said, adding that since 2009, 54 static bunkers have been removed from public places in Srinagar city.
On Panchayat elections, he said, “We are of the firm belief, so are many others, that democracy and development is best antidote to wean away the people from the pernicious influence of subversive and anti-national elements.”
Chief Minister said that as the security scenario in the State continues to improve, the tourists feel safe to visit the State and foreign countries have begun to withdraw adverse travel advisories. He said Government would continue to work in tandem with the Central Government to have the travel advisories withdrawn by the remaining foreign countries.
He said that in the year 2012 which was by far the best in Jammu and Kashmir in past 25 years in terms of all parameters, a record number of 12,36,941 tourists visited the State as compared to 8,98,558 during 2011. The pilgrimage to Shri Amarnath Ji and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi stood at 6,21,104 and 1,01,38,256 respectively. He said for the conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji yatra all necessary arrangements have been made.
“We are of the firm belief, so are many others that democracy and development is best antidote to wean away the people from the influence of subversive and anti-national elements, as such, a step towards this has been taken by my Government by devolving powers to the Panchayats in order to fulfil the development aspirations of the people and instil a sense of participation in decision making process”, he said adding that incentives in the shape of honorarium to Sarpanchs and sitting fee to the Panchs have been provided.
Omar said that the percentage of terrorist incidents decreased by 35 percent in the year 2012 as compared to 2011 and a significant decline in all types of casualties was registered in 2012. He said the year 2013 continue to show improvement in the security and law and order situation. “Our strategy on ground has been to deal firmly with militants and at the same time avoid any collateral damage”, he said and complemented all the security agencies deployed in the State for exercising restraint while dealing with law and order situation. He also paid tributes to the members of the security forces who have lost their lives in combating the terrorism. He also expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
Omar said that the favourable situation has been made possible at the result of effective steps taken by the counter insurgency grid comprising the Army, the Central para-military forces and the State police. “The cooperation of people with police and security forces and their desire for peace have strengthened the forces in combating militancy successfully”, he said and added that J&K Police is playing increasingly an active role in counter insurgency operations and is gradually taking over the responsibility of maintenance of law and order.
“I hope in the years to come, the State Police would be in a position to take on the challenges on its own and reduce requirement of Central forces”, he said and also highlighted the role of security forces for strict surveillance on borders and neutralizing the terrorists. He also underlined the need for close coordination between various security agencies and J&K Police to maintain utmost vigil to thwart the attempts of infiltration and militancy related incidents.
The Chief Minister also referred to the Draft Jammu and Kashmir Police Bill 2013 and said that it has been uploaded on the official website of the Department for inviting suggestions from various sections of the society. He said various suggestions have been received and media has extensively commented on the various provisions of the Draft Bill and these are under process of examination.
On unemployment crisis, the Chief Minister said that his Government was acutely aware of the problem of unemployment and consequent frustration among the youth. He said in order to tackle the problem his Government apart from filling up the positions in all Government departments, have been initiated measures to create self employment for them.
“A Skill Development Policy has been approved for implementation which has set an ambitious target of training and upgrading the skills of 9 lakh people during the 12th Five Year Plan period to enhance to their employability. Another step in the direction of addressing unemployment problem, is the implementation of Sher-i-Kashmir Welfare and Employment Programme for Youth (SKEWPY) which has initiated encouraging results”, he added and referred to ‘Himayat’ and ‘Udaan’ initiatives.
The Chief Minister said that under the Skill Development and Placement linked initiative Himayat as many as one lakh youth are targeted to be trained over a period of 5 years since the inception of the scheme in the State 2011. He said so far about 8000 candidates have been trained and 5060 have been offered job placements in various companies within and outside the State. He said 15000 youth are targeted to be trained and given placements during the current year. He said the Skill Development Initiative ‘Udaan’ aims at providing skills and employment to 8000 youth in each year in the next five year period in key sectors of economy.
Omar said that another key initiative called ‘Umeed’ concerning the livelihood has been started on pilot basis in the State. He said under this initiative, 90000 women self-help groups are targeted to be provided with livelihood opportunities. The Government of India initiative under the ‘National Rural Livelihood Mission’ has also generated great expectations among the people and “We in the State are committed to take full advantage of this scheme”.
Omar Abdullah said that the State Government is extremely grateful to the Prime Minister and Union Government for launching these skill development initiatives in the State. He said the State Government is looking forward to the continue support of the Government of India in the successful implementation of these schemes.
Minister of State for Home, Sajad Ahmad Kichloo was also present in the conference.
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