NEW DELHI: The government of India has initiated a political dialogue in the volatile Jammu and Kashmir to bring the situation under control, home minister S B Chavan told the lower house of Parliament. He told George Fernandes during question hour that the policy of the govt to tackle the situation was lo take stringent measures against militant coupled with starting a political dialogue in the state, already been initiated.

Replying to a question from M V Chandrasehkara Murthy, the minister said the pronouncement of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that his country would not encourage militants in Kashmir, has had no effect on the activities.

He replied in the negative when asked whether New Delhi would strike at training camps across the border saying India was tackling the issue at the diplomatic level.

The minister told K P Unnikrishnan that the govt was examining the implications of the attention of international intelligence agencies towards the situation in the Kashmir valley.

The member wanted to know how the govt viewed the sudden spurt of foreign tourists in the valley especially from Israel.

He told Ram Naik that it would be the goat’s endeavor to create conditions conducive for the return of those who had migrated from the valley in the wake of growing violence.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 26, 1991