Saturday, Dec 28, 2002
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By Shujaat Bukhari
Though the restoration of peace would depend on Pakistan's attitude towards militancy, interaction between the Centre and the State Government was necessary to deal with the security situation, Mr. Advani told presspersons at the end of his one-day visit to Jammu. After reviewing the security situation at the Unified Headquarters here, along with the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, Mr. Advani said that from the third week of November militancy had escalated and that the militants "have resorted to more demonstrative and focussed actions.'' The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who was present at the press conference, was visibly happy when Mr. Advani said the Centre would soon start a dialogue with the "elected representatives and others." Talks would also be held simultaneously with those who did not participate in the Assembly elections or had not been elected. "Those who have not participated in the elections, if they want to discuss with us the issues concerning the State... they are welcome'' he said. At the review meeting, all the issues had been discussed during the presentation by Mr. Sayeed, the Army, the para-military forces, and intelligence agencies. Mr. Advani acknowledged Mr. Sayeed's view that the people of Kashmir had voted for peace in the Assembly elections, giving "a new opportunity to restore peace.'' "But as far as the restoration of peace is concerned it does not entirely depend on the Centre or the State Governments but also on the intentions and attitude of Pakistan." Without directly referring to the differences between the Centre and the State Government on the release of militants, Mr. Advani called for a close coordination among various agencies and said that "in all matters impinging on security, there has be a constant interaction between the State and the Central Governments and the security forces stationed here.'' (Sources said that during the meeting, Mr. Advani expressed satisfaction over the State Government's decision to set up a screening committee for the release of prisoners and said he had gone through the notification. But he stressed on the need to take the Army into confidence at various levels). Accusing Pakistan of continuing to support militants, Mr. Advani said that infiltration had increased from across the Line of Control. The number of foreign militants coming over to this side had also increased. "They now constitute three-fourths of the number of militants,'' he said adding that the training camps across the border which had been closed down due to international pressure had been revived. On resuming a dialogue with Pakistan, Mr. Advani said the situation needed to be dealt with on its own. "Dialogue is of no use as we made earnest and sincere attempts two years ago at the level of the Prime Minister and nothing came out of them.'' However, "it is our country's resolve to see that as we extracted peace in previous wars, we are able to extricate peace from this proxy war also.'' The elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly had been appreciated the world over as the people reposed faith in the Indian democratic system in spite of "instigation" from across the border not to participate in the elections. The review meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, Commanders of the 15 and 16 Corps of Army, Lt. Gen. V. G. Patankar and Lt. Gen. T. P. S. Brar, the State Chief Secretary, Sudhir Beloeria, the Special Secretary in the Union Home Ministry, Ashok Bhandari, the Director-General of Police, A. K. Suri, and heads of the para-military forces and intelligence agencies. Earlier, Mr. Advani had a one-to-one meeting with Mr. Sayeed at his residence and was later joined by the Governor, G. C. Saxena, and Mr. Fernandes. Luv Puri reports: Earlier in the day, Mr. Advani dedicated to the nation the new terminal building complex at the Civil Enclave, Jammu Airport. Mr. Sayeed, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shahnawaz Hussain, the Minister of State for Defence, Chaman Lal Gupta, and Mr. Sharma were present.
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