J&K situation not yet normal, says Chidambaram

Acknowledging that situation in Jammu and Kashmir is "not yet" normal, the Centre on Friday made it clear that it was committed to holding quiet dialogue with all shades of opinion in the State and said "we are willing to hold talks with our own people."



Asked whether any political party was also involved in disrupting peace in the Valley, Mr. Chidambaram nodded in agreement and said "presumably".



Briefing reporters here after presenting his report card for the month of July, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the stand of the Government was clear. "From the day one I have favoured a quiet dialogue with all sections of opinion, all groups, all political parties."



He was replying to a question whether the Centre was willing to hold talks with separatists groups including Hurriyat Conference in the State.



"I continue to meet leaders of different groups and political parties," he said but admitted that "there has been some interruption in the process... I do not deny that."



"But we are always prepared to meet everyone who is willing to meet us. The Prime Minister said he favours a dialogue with all groups. Chief Minister of the State is encouraged to meet all groups. Talking to our won people — what is the reservation? There is no reservation at all.



"We are willing to talk to our own people," he said.



Asked whether any political party was also involved in disrupting peace in the Valley, Mr. Chidambaram nodded in agreement and said "presumably".



Mr. Chidambaram had announced last year that he would be holding quiet diplomacy with separatists organisations and also met Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on three occasions. However, the separatist group backtracked from the process after terrorists shot at a moderate leader Farl-ul-Haq Qureshi earlier this year.



He disagreed with a suggestion that separatists' writ was running in the State. "I don't agree with you that the writ of the separatists is running. Yes, in Srinagar and some other towns, they are able to mobilise support, urge people to indulge in stone pelting and are able to call bandhs."



According to the State government, he said, there are many areas in the Valley which are "quite normal or by and large normal.



"...They (State government) have announced a few measures. They have appointed a Commission of Inquiry, they are formulating a surrender policy, they have offered compensation and jobs… hope these measures will help in normalising the situation," he said.



In his written statement, Mr. Chidambaram said the situation in the State is "not yet normal. Repeated calls for bandh have paralysed normal life in the Valley. Security forces continue to operate in a difficult situation exercising maximum restraint."


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