'Political reality of J&K cannot be changed'

Jammu nad Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah made an emphatic statement on the floor of the state assembly saying that 'the political issue of Jammu and Kashmir was a reality and cannot be changed.'

"I want to keep it on record whether anybody likes it or not, that political issue of Jammu and Kashmir is a reality and cannot be changed", he said.

Winding up the discussion on the Governor's address to the state legislature, Omar said that 'from day one this government has concentrated on highlighting the political resolution of political issues of Jammu and Kashmir at all forums'.

"We said that unemployment, gun-culture, financial crisis compounded the problem, but addressing of the issue in a political manner is the only viable means to address the problem", he said adding that 'every problem in the state is an off-shoot of the political issue'.

The chief minister said that, 'our efforts in this regard helped in the constitution of a team of interlocutors by the Centre which is actively engaged in dialogue with all shades of people and has started a political discourse'.

The chief minister said 'the political issue of the state was recognised by the Parliament and Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram made it clear in both the houses of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India was in unique circumstances and its political issues have to be dealt uniquely'.

Omar said that he was in favour of 'constitution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission by the Centre to look into the questions being raised about disappearances of youth from custody, migration of Kashmiri Pandits, killings of political workers and various related issues", he said adding that 'this would be appropriate step in the process of healing the wounds of bereaved'.

"In a real sense compensation or appointments or financial assistance does not satisfy the affected families. They want answers to their questions. We should satisfy them on this count", he said.

On the summer unrest in the Valley for three consecutive years from 2008 to 2010, Omar Abdullah said that 'though there has been considerable reduction in militancy during these years, yet the disturbance of law and order showed an upward trend.'

"I have listed two important challenges to deal with firmly in the year 2011. The first is to break the continuous summer unrest in Valley and the second is to reduce the menace of corruption", he said and elaborated the measures taken in this regard.

Mounting a scathing attack on the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Omar said that 'the party has made it its trait to make false statements both in the house and outside'.

"During the summer unrest 4,064 persons had been arrested for stone pelting and other law and order disturbances. Of these, 3,900 have been released and they are freely going about their business."

"I have given categorical instructions to law enforcing agencies to ensure that no violation of law takes place under any circumstance", he said.

On removing of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Disturbed Areas Act (DAA), the chief minister said that 'he has constituted two committees to look into this subject'.

"I am in favour of removing those areas from the ambit of DAA where the situation has improved and there is no requirement of AFSPA. If situation remains peaceful the government will remove many areas out of DAA list this year", he said adding that 40 bunkers have been removed from Srinagar besides reducing the number of two battalions of central reserve police force.

"We are also working for reducing the number of army personnel from the civil areas".

On rehabilitation policy, Omar Abdullah said that 'his government has made the policy a reality and we have received 600 applications under this policy which are under verification.