The relief package for Kashmiri pandits and the Centre’s decision to support dependents of militants killed in police encounters seek to fulfil long standing demandS of the people of the state. The slew of measures firmed up at a high level meeting of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and National Security Advisor M K Narayanan comes at a time when the countdown for the State Assembly elections has virtually begun. With 2008 being the election year in the state, an announcement of people-friendly packages is likely to be made by the Prime Minister when he visits the border state at a later date. The decision to provide a relief package to Kashmiri pundits will certainly bring cheers to those who had migrated from the valley after the onset of militancy. Providing them with job opportunities in the government will be all the more welcome.
The meeting firmed up steps for easing travel between the two parts of Kashmir and decided to take up the matter with Pakistan at the earliest. The meeting favoured more cross-LoC movement of people and goods and said a discussion with Islamabad should be held in for easing the travel of people from Jammu and Kashhmir. What the Prime Minister meant business was reflected from his clear instruction to officials in the militancy-hit state to reduce the time taken in clearing passengers for across Line of Control bus travel. It was also decided to take up with Pakistan the issues of promoting pilgrim tourism in either parts of Kashmir , doing away with travel permit requirement for senior citizens and increasing goods exchange with Pakistan . The Prime Minister had set up a Standing Committee and a Monitoring Mechanism at the third round table conference on Kashmir last year for ensuring implementation of suggestions made by the working groups on Kashmir . He had said at that time that his government was keenly working for a blue print for a new future for the state. Five Working Groups were set up following the second roundtable conference convened by the Prime Minister in Srinagar in 2006. The groups were for ensuring economic development, strengthening relations across the LoC, confidence building measures in the state, good governance and fostering better ties between the State and the Centre.
The meeting held yesterday also discussed the problems of refugees from Pakistan , who migrated to Jammu and Kashmir in 1947, in a time-bound manner and all concerned ministries were asked to make a speedy assessment before a package was finalised for them as well. The State Chief Minister has been raising the voice for providing financial relief to the kins of militants killed in police encounters reasoning that it was not the fault of widows and orphans if their bread-earner had adopted the path of violence. A comprehensive census of widows and orphans of victims of militancy-related violence was also discussed.
The Union Home Ministry’s latest report on internal security situation marks a great improvement in the state with the number of violent incidents coming down by 33 per cent and those of civilians killed by 59 per cent. A day ahead of the meeting with the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister had a long discussion with the Union Home Minister on the security situation in the state.