NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry proposed to set the ball rolling for a fresh political initiative to tackle the situation in Jammu and Kashmir,
A consultative committee meeting of the Home Ministry, scheduled for May 5, is slated to discuss in-depth the situation in the state. The Committee, which includes about 30 Members of Parliament from different political parties, may discuss the possibility of holding elections in the state before the onset of winters.
The Home Minister, S.B.Chavan, who would chair the meeting, will elicit the view of the Members of Parliament belonging to different political parties on the developing situation in the state and seek their cooperation in building up political activity in the troubled state.
As a follow-up, the Home Minister proposes to hold regular meetings with the leaders of various political parties to evolve a consensus on the issue of holding elections, according to authoritative sources in the Home Ministry.
The Home Ministry has also convened a meeting of the representatives of the Kargil and Leh districts in the Capital on May 20, The Center has proposed a Hill Council-type arrangement for the two districts with a coordinate body for interaction at the State~ level. There have been some objections from leaders belonging to the other parts of the state but efforts are being made to find a way Out. Sources stress that the Center was merely following-up the assurance given by the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah in 1989 and had no intention to bring about any structural change in the administration during the course of the Central Rule,
Sources say that the Center is also closely monitoring the developments in Afghanistan in relation to their impact on Pakistan’s attitude and involvement in Jammu and Kashmir. There is a feeling that Pakistan may step up its activities in the Valley. Sources do not rule out the possibility of Pakistan amassing its forces along the international border as a show of support for the militants or to attempt to disrupt the elections by other means.
It is pointed out that even in the case of the recent Punjab elections, Pakistan had attempted to disrupt elections by spreading terror and fear through its agents here. When it found that the army’s presence had checked violent incidents and may infuse confidence among the voters, it managed a call for the boycott of the elections. Ultimately the Akali Dal factions had also called for the boycott of the polls .The Home Minister proposes to visit the Valley in the near future to get an on-the-spot assessment on situation in the area.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 15, 1992
