NEW DELHI (PTI): The Center is contemplating a series of measures, including a major shakeup in the administrative set up in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, to speed up the process of restoring normalcy in the troubled border state. Initially, a three pronged strategy is being worked out with the government keeping an open mind for Parleys with Kashmiri militant groups, intensifying border vigil and initiating sweeping changes in the state administration, minister of state for internal security Rajesh Pilot told newsmen on board a Special aircraft from Guwahati to New Delhi March 7. The minister said the Center would resort to a pragmatic approach during its discussions with the militants. On the question of granting greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, Pilot said this issue could be considered at the appropriate time internal security on Kashmir.
Saxena said his relations with the new minister of state for internal security, Rajesh Pilot were “very pleasant.” Earlier, Press reports had said the governor had offered his resignation for being kept in the dark about Pilot’s parleys with some militant groups, including some major leaders at present under detention. The governor, in his communication to the Center, has said he had no reservation whatsoever about any political initiative to break the present impasse in Kashmir. He said he had repeatedly stressed that the time had come for political parties and politicians to become more active in the state and had offered all possible assistance from the state administration in this direction.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 12, 1993
