ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Advani's strategy to tackle Kashmir militancy

Union Home Minister Lal Kishinchand Advani on Wednesday announced a four-point strategy to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

''The strategy rests on four pillars: deepen the democratic process in the state, isolate militant groups, a pro-active policy towards the militants and galvanise developmental programmes to impart momentum to the state's economy and improve the living condition of its long-suffering people,'' he said.

Advani was in Srinagar at the head of a ministerial delegation, assigned to review the overall situation in the state following Friday's massacre of 25 Hindus in Doda.

In the two-hour review, the delegation, which included Defence Minister George Fernandes and Tourism Minister Madan Lal Khurana, decided to strengthen the state police by raising two more reserve battalions immediately. An additional 350 special police officers would also be appointed.

Advani described Kashmir as the most critical internal security issue before the country. ''India is committed to resolve the issue under the bilateral framework mandated by the Shimla Agreement of 1972," he said.

Responding to Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah's request for more central forces, Advani said, "despite requirements in other troubled states we will see to it that all requirements are met here."

Pakistan, the home minister continued, should share India's sincerity and earnestness in continuing the bilateral dialogue.

''At the same time, we should not let co-operation between our countries on a whole array of developmental issues become hostage to the delay in resolving the Kashmir issue. This approach has paid rich dividends in other parts of the world beset by regional problems," Advani said.

By this approach the two countries can open the door for progress and prosperity in the Indian subcontinent. ''I wish to convey to Pakistan from the soil of Srinagar that the people of Kashmir cast their lot with India in 1947."

The home minister owned moral responsibility for the Doda massacre. "The gruesome communal killings go against the fundamental canons of every religion," he said, "The killers have no religion."

He said despite the Bharatiya Janata Party not being a traditional ally of the National Conference (the ruling party in JK), its relationship with the Union government was 'cordial'. "This shows that Vajpayee's government is honest and earnest in dealing with the Kashmir issue in an unprejudiced manner," Advani said, "I hope to convey to the people the Central government's sense of earnestness and determination to bring peace to their state."

Earlier, welcoming the delegation, Dr Abdullah said the Kashmir situation demands a cohesive strategy. Pakistan was trying to push foreign militants into the state.

"We should gear up our resources, coordinate efforts and get ready to meet the challenge," he said, adding that close coordination was needed between the security forces, army and police.

Mukhtar Ahmed, UNI

Tell us what you think of this report