NEW DELHI: Minister of State for Home, Mohammed Taslimuddin, and last week said that, the United Front government is ready to hold talks with.
Kashmiri militant groups to bring about peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, Addressing a press conference here, the minister said “our doors are open for talks if it helps to Store peace” in the valley. (Reports “quoting official sources said Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda will preside over a high-level meeting to decide whether to go ahead with the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir).
The election commission has already stated that it was ready to ‘accept the task of holding assembly elections in the troubled state where President’s Rule expires on July 17. In case the government decided to go ahead with the polls, the election notification would have to be issued in the next few days as about 35 days would be required for completion of the poll process.
Official sources felt that time was ripe for going ahead with assembly elections as security forces, sent for the Lok Sabha polls, were already stationed in the border state. “We will try to create a situation so that disgruntled elements come to the negotiating table and grievances are sorted out.” He said the government was keen to hold Assembly elections in the state as soon as possible. However, he added that the matter would be discussed with Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.
Taslimuddin said that the government’s priority is to fight against militancy and ensure peace and harmony in the country. “We have to eliminate militancy forever. This can be done only by winning the hearts of the people,” he stated. He accused Pakistan of fomenting trouble in India. He said that the purpose of creating trouble in India was “to divert the attention of the people from the domestic problems, which Islamabad was facing.” The Rapid Action Force and para military forces will be deployed in the sensitive areas to maintain harmony and peace, he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 12, 1996
