The announcement of the troop movement came as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is touring Kashmir said the security of the disputed region must rest in the hands of police.
"The responsibility for maintaining law and order in the state will be increasingly devolved on the Jammu and Kashmir police," he said.
India moved about 4,000 soldiers from its Pakistan border in Kashmir in March. There are an estimated half a million Indian security personnel, including soldiers, deployed in Kashmir.
...
The troops who are being moved out are in the Jammu region and not the Kashmir Valley which is the centre of the revolt.
(read the rest here: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/10/29/world/international-uk-kashmir-army.html)
Is a blood-splattered chapter in Kashmir’s recent history coming, after 20 long years, to an end? Maybe, maybe not, but at least one man believes change is coming: India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “I believe that a new chapter is opening in the peace process in the state and we are turning a corner," Singh told a news conference in Srinagar on Thursday.
...
The lack of trust is a problem in taking matters forward. “We were open when we entered into a dialogue with New Delhi in the past. All we demanded was that people on the ground should feel a change is taking place. We asked for confidence building measures like the release of political prisoners and repealing those laws that gave unbridled powers to soldiers, stopping human rights abuses, and troop withdrawal. But none of these demands were fulfilled”, said Mirwaiz Unar Farooq, chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference.
(read the rest here: http://www.hindustantimes.com/jandk/Is-it-time-to-smile-in-Kashmir/470743/H1-Article1-470688.aspx#at)When told that Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in his speech during London conference had justified the use of gun, Prime Minister said, “One should not read too much into the statements made in anger. We will respond favorably to all those, who have good and well being in their hearts for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Expressing his willingness to engage and hold serious discussions with every group provided they shun the path of violence,” Singh said, “We have to carry all stake holders with us to achieve a permanent and peaceful reconciliation in J and K. This will help us concentrate on an ambitious development agenda that will lead to economic revival and reconstruction of the State.”
On Confidence Building Measures and Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Prime Minister said, “I have already maintained that CBMs should move further ahead. It requires cooperation of people and the government of Pakistan. We will be happy to discuss all these issues with Pakistan,” Singh said adding, “I sincerely hope that Pakistan will create an atmosphere in which negotiations can lead to a fruitful result.”
He, however, evaded the query on AFSPA.
(read the rest here: http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17966&Itemid=1)
No comments:
Post a Comment