By Ovais Gull
Srinagar: Promising to review notorious Armed Forces Special Powers Act and to reduce Army footprints in J&K, Congress on Tuesday released its Manifesto for LS Polls.
Congress in its manifesto has pitched for Dilogue as the only way forward.
The Party has also promised to reduce the presence of CAPF and also to review the Distribed area act as well.
“Dialogue is the only way to understand the aspirations of the
people of the 3 regions of Jammu & Kashmir and find an honourable solution to their issues. We will take that path,” manifesto says.
“The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in J&K will be reviewed. Suitable changes will be made in the text of the laws to balance the requirements of security and the protection of human rights,” it added.
It further reads that building a Union of States that is India is a project of inclusiveness.
Jammu & Kashmir and its problems deserve a large-hearted approach that will eschew muscular militarism and legalistic formu lations and look for an innovative federal solution.
Congress also promises to find such a solution through patient dialogue and talks with all stakeholders in the State.
Congress further promises the people of J&K talks without ‘pre-conditions’.
“We will appoint three interlocutors drawn from civil society to facilitate such talks,” manifesto says.
Here is the Kashmir part of the manifesto titled “Congress will deliver”:
Congress has stood witness to the developments in Jammu & Kashmir since the Instrument of Accession was signed on 26 October 1947. Congress affirms that the whole of Jammu & Kashmir is part of India.
We also acknowledge the unique history of the State and the unique circumstances under which the State acceded to India that led to the inclusion of Article 370 in the Constitution of India. Nothing will be done or allowed to change the Constitutional position.
Congress has long held the view that dialogue is the only way to understand the aspirations of the people of the 3 regions of Jammu & Kashmir and find an honourable solution to their issues. We will take that path.
We will adopt a two-pronged approach: firstly, uncompromising firmness on the border and ending infiltration; and secondly, absolute fairness in dealing with the demands of the people and winning their hearts and minds.
Congress promises to review the deployment of armed forces, move more troops to the border to stop infiltration completely, reduce the presence of the Army and CAPFs in the Kashmir Valley, and entrust more responsibility to the J&K police for maintaining law and order.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in J&K will be reviewed.
Suitable changes will be made in the text of the laws to balance the requirements of security and the protection of human rights.
Building a Union of States that is India is a project of inclusiveness. Jammu & Kashmir and its problems deserve a large-hearted approach that will eschew muscular militarism and legalistic formulations and look for an innovative federal solution.
Congress promises to find such a solution through patient dialogue and talks with all stakeholders in the State.
Congress promises the people of J&K talks without pre-conditions. We will appoint 3 interlocutors drawn from civil society to facilitate such talks.
We will renew the initiatives taken by the UPA government such as UDAAN, HIMAYAT and UMMEED to impart training in skills and create conomic opportunities for the youth of J&K.
Free and fair elections to the State Legislative Assembly will be held immediately.
We are deeply concerned about the cases of discrimination and harassment of students, traders and others belonging to Jammu & Kashmir in the rest of India and we will ensure their safety and their right to study or do business.
