JAMMU (PTI): Former federal interior minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed on Sept.7 said that the federal government had not formulated 4 “cohesive and coordinated policy,” on Kashmir, which had led to deterioration of situation in the valley. The Mufti, who himself hails from the insurgencyndden state, altnbuted this to policy of drift and utter confusion among different federal ministers pulling in different directions on Kashmir. He said Kashmir should be treated as a national issue and the federal government should take different parties into confidence to evolve a national consensus on the Kashmir policy.
The Mufti said there was need for a four pronged strategy involving effective and tactful dealing with the militants while avoiding excesses, Streamlining of the administration to make itres;eonsive and accountable, winning over the hearts and minds of the people and to initiate political process to find a reasonable and realistic solution of the political problem. complementing the people. of Jammu for preserving communal peace and harmony despite grave provocations, he said this unity and peace could prove a bulwark Against reactionary, communal and Subversive elements.
The former minister urged the central and state governments to provide additional avenues of employment to the youth, tackle the problems of different sections of the population and to implement the promised economic package Lo provide relief to the people in distress, He also appealed to the youth to shun the path of violence and jon the national mainstream for the Overall socioeconomic development of the state as a part of Indian secular democracy.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 10, 1993
