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| Interlocutors submit report | | Advocates 'meaningful autonomy', devolution of powers at sub regional levels | | Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Oct 12: In order to have a roadmap that helps ensure permanent and lasting peace in J&K, as desired by the Centre, the three interlocutors submitted their report to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram here today. The report which has been submitted amid speculations of it being politically centered around Kashmir issue, is understood to have neither talked about Autonomy nor self rule, albeit focused its suggestions on fulfilling the development and economic aspirations of the people of three regions in the state.
Sources said even though the report carries comprehensive suggestions covering diverse aspects, it primarily calls for review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and gradual withdrawal of Disturbed Areas Act from certain parts of the Kashmir Valley, a demand persistently raked up for a long from political corridors of Kashmir.
The report, however, stays away from the contentious issues of 'azadi' and autonomy as the political slogan of ruling NC or self rule , that of opposition PDP, saying the clock cannot be turned back in the Valley, sources said. However, the report advocates "meaningful autonomy" and speedy development across the state, sources added .
The interlocutors - journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, academic Radha Kumar and former civil servant MM Ansari -- are learnt to have also recommended the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Disturbed Areas Act from the state that has seen a bruising insurgency for over two decades.
"The minister has told us he would now take the report forward," Padgaonkar told reporters after presenting the report.
The report, sources said, has recommended developmental councils for all the three regions - Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh - and devolution of powers to the sub-regions.
It also recommends a massive economic package to tackle the huge unemployment in the state and major infrastructure development to provide connectivity and boost tourism, officials in the know said.
The report also touches upon human rights violations and also talks about cultural diversity of Jammu and Ladakh regions of the state. According to the report, cultural diversity must be promoted and economic opportunities in the region should be encouraged and promoted.
However, there is no endorsement of any of the big ideas put forward by the parties in J&K. So, there is no endorsement of whether there will be autonomy or the PDP's idea of self-rule.
One of the key recommendations in the report is how to build cross-border and cross-LoC relations. The report has a full chapter on the issue.
Sources say the interlocutors have not recommend a pre-1952 status for the state but have sought greater autonomy for Ladakh and Jammu regions.
The trio was appointed Oct 13 last year, when the Kashmir situation had turned grim following street protests and the killing of more than 100 youth.
A year on, there was apprehension in Jammu, one of the three main regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Residents in the region felt the report could be "one sided and against the interests of Jammu".
The separatist camp has already dismissed the report or any suggestions contending these were not going to solve or settle the problems related to larger issue of Kashmir as core area.
The Opposition, PDP, also said that the report fell short of expectation. However, the party said that they were looking forward to it and would respond after going through it in detail.
Pertinent to mention is the fact that interlocutors had met nearly 700 delegations during the past one year besides holding three round-table conferences and attending three gatherings. Noted academician Radha Kumar had earlier been engaged in back-channel discussions with moderate Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani but after her appointment as the Centre's interlocutor, the separatist leaders stayed away from her. The third member of the team, MM Ansari, professor and Director at the Hamdard University and an educationist and economist before becoming an Information Commissioner, was a surprise inclusion in the team as he had no association with Kashmir during his tenure as a bureaucrat. |
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