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| Commission to examine regional discrimination | | |
ET DESK
Jammu, Jan 7: The National Conference-Congress goverment government proposes to set up an administrative commission to examine the issue of discrimination among three regions of the state and suggest measures to remove it.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the commission will be headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court preferably from outside the state.
"I understand that there is a strong inherent belief that Jammu is being discriminated at the cost of Kashmir. Unfortunately, I also have to state the same belief exists in Kashmir that it is being discriminated," he told Karan Thapar in 'India Tonight' programme broadcasted on CNBC-TV18.
"Clearly, truth lies somewhere because Laddakh and Kargil feel discriminated at the hands of both these big territories. What we aim to do is put together a Commission to look into all the aspects of government and check any discrimination and if there is any discrimination, suggest measures to deal with it," Omar said.
The Chief Minister said he is "talking about an administrative commission headed by a retired Judge of the Supreme Court preferably not from Jammu and Kashmir. One who can objectively look at the way in which we have formulated plans for Jammu and Kashmir, for Laddakh"
Omar said he feels the NC-Congress coalition government will be able to bridge the divide between the three regions of the state.
38-year-old Omar, who took over the reins of the state in the backdrop of widespread violence over Amarnath land transfer, says "certain wounds would be healed through mature government that reaches out to people."
"We need to sit down with the chambers of commerce, trade federation and people like that to bridge the gap between trading communities of Kashmir and Jammu", Omar said.
He said some people are reading more into the divide than what really exists. "If we look into some of the stalwarts of the Amarnath land transfer agitation who fought on BJP tickets....They lost in these (assembly) elections. Not to forget National Conference has won seats. They are there from Hindu- dominated areas as well," he said.
About the truth reconciliation commission, Omar said said the mechanism he had thought of would look into what happened in 1987-89 and why militancy started in Jammu and Kashmir and who was instrumental in triggering it.
"But clearly none of this is possible as a one sided approach. India and Pakistan have to do it together with us," the Chief Minister said adding "unfortunately currently, the relationship between India and Pakistan are unlikely to allow us something" like this.
Omar said his approach towards Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and separatists has been "reconciliatory".
"At some point of time, New Delhi is going to have to do talking to them again. Now, I understand there would not be any big initiative until the general elections are over. But this gives us time doing the ground work", he said.
Omar said he was open to meet the Mirwaiz but in private and away from media and public glare as this would make the life of Hurriyat chairman or for that matter any separatist leader more vulnerable to threats from militants
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