Central willing to hold talks with all sections in Kashmir: P.Chidambaram

New Delhi: Central Government on Wednesday expressed its willingness to hold talks with any group from the Kashmir Valley wishing to come forward amid indications that it would be soon coming out with a series of measures to address the issue.
Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram on Wednesday said that Central Government is hopeful of re-starting the process of dialogue in the near future in Jammu and Kashmir.
Presenting Home Ministry’s monthly report card, he recalled, that the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had convened a meeting of all political parties of Jammu and Kashmir on August 10, 2010, in the wake of violent protests in the State.
Chidambaram said that the highlight of the month was the conference of Director Generals of Police during which he had pointed out that “a political solution must be found to the problems of Jammu and Kashmir.” The Central Government has offered a dialogue with all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and all political parties and groups.
 “We are concerned that we have not been able to stop the vicious cycle in which that State is caught. However, it is my hope that, in the next few days, we would be able to find that elusive ‘starting point’ from where we could reach out to the protestors, reassure them of their rights and dignity, restore peace and order, redeem the promises made, and re-start the process of dialogue that will lead to a solution.” said Chidambaram.
Presenting the report card of the Ministry today, Chidambaram said: “Our efforts to put an end to the cycle of violence are yet to bear fruit.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir State, Omar Abdullah, called on the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram here on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Omar said that the situation in the state should not be seen only as a law and order problem and political initiatives should be taken at the earliest, sources said.
The Chief Minister urged Chidambaram to take steps in this direction at the earliest like amendments to Armed Forces Special Powers Act and announcing an employment package for its five lakh unemployed youths besides an employment package for surrendered and released militants, sources added.
Omar said the time was ripe for the Centre to implement its assurance of having a political approach on Kashmir as stated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Home Minister himself on the floor of the Parliament, sources added.