New Delhi, Dec 30: The Centre Friday said channels of communication with some of the separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir were open and there was a possibility of negotiation with them in the New Year if they came forward for dialogue.
"As far as talks with the separatists groups in Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, we are always open to talk to them. It is not that the channels of communication with some of them have entirely cut off. These channels are still open and it is possible that some of them will agree to come forward for talks in 2012. If they are ready for talks, we are ready for talks," Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters here.
He was replying to a question on the possibility of peace talks with Jammu and Kashmir-based separatist groups in 2012.
Asked about the report of the three interlocutors on Kashmir, Chidambaram said the Cabinet Committee on Security has been briefed once on the interlocutors report.
"They have asked for a fuller, longer briefing for which we have to find time. I hope that, that will take place in early January and I hope that once the CCS is briefed, interlocutors report will be published. There is no hesitation in making it public. I hope this will be done in the beginning of 2012," he said.
Chidambaram said the Home Ministry has alerted all states bordering Pakistan particularly Jammu and Kashmir about the possibility of militants from across the border striking in the coming days. “An advisory to this affect has been sent by the Ministry to the states,” he said.
He disclosed that the Ministry has received certain inputs that suggest that some conspiracy was being hatched to hit certain targets in J&K and Punjab in particular. While Punjab could become a soft-target for the militant groups in view of the coming Assembly elections in the state, J&K has been perpetually on their radar.
The year 2011 has witnessed drastic reduction in violence in J&K, North Eastern states and in the Left Wing Extremism affected states. During 2011, 31 civilians and 33 security personnel were killed in the state as against 47 and 69 respectively in 2010. It was due to the effective containment of violence in the state that the Panchayat elections could be held successfully after a gap of 23 years, Chidambaram said.
The Home Ministry has also directed the Public Sector Undertakings to become part of the special initiatives being taken by the Centre in J&K to provide employment to unemployed youth. In this regard, the Home Minister had held a meeting with 25 CEOs and CMDs of the top PSUs and urged them to participate in the special industry initiative scheme for skill development and employment of the educated/qualified youth of the state. WITH INPUTS FROM PTI

Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST