Kashmir violence must stop

Strife-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing disturbance and violence since the Shopian rape and murder incident. Disappreance and murder of teen-aged boys make the situation more serious, that give the secessionist and separatist elements under the tutelege of Pakistan a free hand to fish in troubled water. The number of deaths has risen to 15 in the last three month. This number is the biggest in the last decades. Valley boils and requires immediate attention of national and state leadership to evolve political unanimity to abhor violence. The state political parties are vertically divided on the issue how to restore peace and development. Omar-led state government appears to be helpless. There is complete lack of political activities to lessen the prevailing tension. Only using force to throttle the voice of dissent can not solve the problem. Hurriyat, its various factions and the other separatist elements have got a golden opportunity with total backing of Pakistan to create disturbances and anarchy in the Valley. In the prevailing situation, the Centre and the state governments immediately act together to put a stop to any more killings and start vigorously political initiatives, taking all shades opinions in confidence in the state and make out a concrete plan of action to create jobs for the unemployed and frustrated youths. As Kashmir Valley witnesses a fresh spurt in violence, the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has taken stock of the situation. This is the second time in less than a month the CCS has met to discuss the situation in Kashmir where a renewed wave of unrest, and when violence appeared to be ebbing—has led to death of nine people in three days in alleged police firing.The CCS, while taking stock of the situation, also rightly discussed the proposal of state Chief Minister Omar Abduallah for beginning an internal dialogue with all shades of opinion.The state Government had also sent a request for a policy to rehabilitate former militants who had served their jail sentence and were unemployed besides a comprehensive policy for those youths who were willing to return from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.It may be mentioned that intelligence agencies had been reporting that the majority of stone pelters have been those who have been former militants at present unemployed.Jammu &Kashmir Chief Minister has met and discussed with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and CCS members on the deteriorating situation in the state. CM has demanded political package and more security personnel to restore normalcy in the state. Both Centre state governments must act together to restore normalcy in J & K immediately. After that they must show strong political will to talk with all shades of opinion in the state.