FAHEEM ASLAM

Srinagar, July 25: It has been two weeks since the Jammu and Kashmir government held an All-Party Meeting (APM) here to find a way out of the prevailing unrest in the Valley.  But the decisions taken at the much-hyped meeting are yet to see the light of the day.
 The APM was held on July 12, ending up with the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah’s announcement that an “Independent Commission” would be set up to inquire into the killing of civilians in the Valley during the spate of protests. It was also decided that an all party delegation from the state would call on the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and ask for political initiatives on Jammu and Kashmir.
 So far neither the Independent Commission has been set up nor has any all party delegation met the Prime Minister.
 Senior Congress leader, Taj Mohi-ud-Din who was part of the July 12 meeting, said the delay may be from the state Government’s General Administration Department side. “I think the GAD was to take the follow-up action on constitution of the commission and the all party delegation. And the meeting with the Prime Minister depends on his availability also,” Taj told Greater Kashmir.
 However, officials in the GAD said they had received no formal communication from the government in this regard. “We will have to check up who represented the government in the July 12 APM and who actually had to issue the orders,” said a GAD official, requesting not to be named.
 The APM was conveyed to discuss the law and order situation in Kashmir following recurring civilian killings in the Valley and the ensued curfews, strikes and massive protests.
 A senior National Conference minister said the process to set up the commission was on. “I think the chief minister, Omar Abdullah, is on the job. You can soon see some action in this regard,” the cabinet minister, wishing anonymity, said. “I guess the chief minister has conveyed the APM decisions to the central government during his recent visit to New Delhi. Whatever has to be done by the centre and the state will be done.”
 It has been reliably learnt that the government is yet to formally announce the delegation which would meet the prime minister. Top sources, however said, the delegation included senior Congress leader and Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, National Conference president and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and J&K Congress chief, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz. “Only the formal orders in this regard are awaited,” they said.
 When contacted, the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, said both the decisions shall be implemented this week. “That is all happening this week,” he told Greater Kashmir when asked why the APM decisions were not implemented so far.
 Pertinently on ground the Jammu and Kashmir government has failed to take any political initiatives with regard to the prevailing situation in Kashmir even as New Delhi had instructed the Chief Minister to tour the “disturbed areas” and meet the families of civilians killed recently. Fearing backlash, the sources said, none of the political leaders was ready to visit the areas where civilian killings took place.
 Asked why any political initiatives were not seen on ground with regard to addressing the present crisis, Taj Mohi-ud-Din said, “You would soon see some initiatives.” He, however, refused to divulge the format of the initiatives.
 “Some months back, when the tussle between the employees and state government erupted over the arrears, the government had at that time also decided to send an all party delegation to the Prime Minister to seek financial assistance for implementing the 6th pay commission arrears. Even that decision is yet to see the light of the day,” said sources.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST