First in J038;K: a Five-group plan

He announced the creation of five 8220;working groups8221;8212;a mechanism so far commonly used only in bilateral diplomacy8212;based on the most pressing aspects of the Kashmir problem. The composition of these groups isn8217;t clear yet8212;Singh said he has asked roundtable participants, including the Chief Minister, to nominate members. The groups, which will have a convenor each, will focus on:

8226; Confidence Building Measures: Will look into the issue of homecoming of militants, providing succor to people affected by militants, rehabilitation of orphans and widows, rehab and employment policy for Kashmiri Pandit migrants and protection of the state8217;s heritage.

8226; Cross-LoC relations: Will explore ways and means to strengthen relations across the LoC. From mapping new routes such as Kargil-Skardu, to expanding people-to-people contact, cross-LoC tourism, enabling more travel and increase in traffic.

8226; Economic Development: Will evolve strategy to ensure balanced economic development and employment generation while taking care of regional and sub-regional development within the state.

8226; Governance: Will institutionalise steps to ensure zero tolerance for human rights violations. And explore ways to increase responsiveness and accountability, effectively monitor local self-governance, strengthening of the right to information and providing security to residents, particularly minorities.

On violence, Singh took a tough stand. Unlike the NDA government, Singh emphasized that New Delhi would only talk to militants once they 8216;8216;shun the path of violence.8217;8217;

8226; Politics: Although the PM gave this group a broader aim of 8216;8216;strengthening relations between the state and the Centre8217;8217; in his speech, he clarified that this would discuss proposals like 8216;8216;self-rule and autonomy8217;8217; and discuss 8220;matters relating to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union.8217;8217; Also, on its agenda: methods to strengthen democracy, secularism and rule of law in the state.

In a major shift in the government8217;s rehabilitation policy in Kashmir, the PM announced relief to families of slain militants as well.

8216;8216;It is important that in our effort at nation-building, we win back as our own the destitute families of those militants who have been killed in police action,8217;8217; he said and asked the Home Ministry and the J-K government 8216;8216;to work out a credible mechanism of support for these families.8217;8217; He also asked the Home Ministry to make the review of detainees and their release 8216;8216;an ongoing process and not link it to meetings and conferences,8217;8217; a process 8216;8216;my own office will monitor every quarter.8217;8217;

Sources said the lack of stress on political proposals for resolution of Kashmir which transcend the current state-Centre relationship was deliberate. Singh, sources said, wants to wait for separatist participation especially of the Hurriyat with whom he said the government8217;s individual engagements will continue besides getting the BJP on board so that the dialogue process doesn8217;t turn into an issue of domestic votebank politics.

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