ON BOARD A SPECIAL AIRCRAFT: The Home Ministry has convened a meeting of five Kashmir Organizations in Delhi this week to sort out the problems of Kashmiris. Talking to newsmen on board a special aircraft from Pama to Delhi after a two day tour of Bihar, Minister of State for Home Mohd Taslimuddin said some organizations, who had not participated in the Lok Sabha election, might come forward for discussions in Delhi, The meeting is expected to create a conducive atmosphere for holding the Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir, which are slated for September.
The Minister said the government is also of the view that Assembly elections in J and K and Uttar Pradesh be held after August, when the monsoon is over. Taslimuddin said that the smooth conduct of the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir had completely changed the public opinion about polls in the troubled state. A large number of persons now favor the restoration of a democratically elected government in the state. However, he admitted that before finalizing the dates of polling, the government will take into account the prevalent weather conditions. Replying to a question, Taslimuddin said that he himself is planning to tour Jammu and Kashmir to get a firsthand feel of the ground situation. Reiterating that the problems of the state will be sorted out within the framework of the Constitution, he said the government will also make efforts to ascertain the Pakistani affairs of India.
However, the Minister admitted that in the past few months Pakistan had reduced its activities, after the start of the democratic process. He said that the government will take all possible steps to put an end to such interference. Taslimuddin said that in order to improve coordination between the intelligence agencies and the police, the Center has asked the various agencies to immediately pass relevant information to the respective district officials. This will ensure prompt action by the police.
On the Ayodhya issue, the Minister said various sections had protested the Central Government’s decision to refer the issue to the Supreme Court under Section 138 (2). However, he personally felt that the entire land of Ram Janam Bhoomi should be declared national property and Center should take over the land. No one should be allowed to build either a temple or a masjid on the disputed land. Any Construction on the disputed land would harm the interprets of the nation, he added. Roa Replying to a question, the Minister said there was no need of introducing any law in place of TADA. The existing laws are sufficient to meet all emergencies, he said. The Minister said the 15point program for the welfare of minorities will be pursued vigorously to ensure social justice for all. The government is consider mg the recasting of 15point program to make it more effective and development oriented, he added.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 26, 1996
