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Journalism of Courage
Making the life of the aam admi in Jammu and Kashmir his focus, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is set to unveil his vision of khushaali and behtari peace and prosperity which may include a rehabilitation package for youth gone 8220;astray8221; at the second roundtable in Srinagar on Thursday.
Although the Prime Minister will undertake a comprehensive review of the economic progress of the state with top government officials as soon he reaches Srinagar tomorrow, this will be overshadowed with the political content of his speech at the roundtable.
Even though the Hurriyat is staying away from the roundtable, the PM will reiterate that his government will continue the dialogue with all stakeholders in a bid to work towards a political settlement that is acceptable to all political parties as well as regions.
Significantly, the last-minute inclusion of Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, an expert on Kashmir with extensive contacts with the separatist leadership including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq of the Hurriyat, is a signal that New Delhi wants to keep the line with the separatists open. Habibullah was kept out of the first roundtable held in New Delhi on February 25.
The decision to involve Habibullah was taken after it became clear that the Hurriyat would not be party to the second roundtable. Habibullah is likely to 8220;informally8221; meet the separatist elements, including the Mirwaiz.
The PM will reiterate the UPA8217;s commitment to continue with the process of release of political prisoners detained under the Public Security Act PSA. At the roundtable, the PM is expected to discuss with political leaders and regional representatives the relationship that the state wants with the Centre, inter-region discourse within the state and the kind of engagement that residents want with those across the LoC.
In brief, a higher degree of autonomy within the state and increase in contacts through trade and commerce with those across the LoC will be on the table.
The PM is also expected to strongly condemn the recent violence in the state and send a strong message to those abetting violence through infrastructure, financial support and training of militants.
He is also expected to meet the Hindu Welfare Society of Kashmiri Pandits currently living in the Valley. Represented by Moti Lal Bhat, the 7,000-strong Kashmiri Pandit population has asked for the meeting.
No separatists will sit at roundtable
8226; Hurriyat: 8220;Too crowded, Centre8217;s attempt to mainstream us8221;
8226; Sajad Lone: 8220;Not helpful, we still working on the roadmap, talks don8217;t make sense8221;
8226; Hashim Qureshi: Only separatist to attend first round. 8220;In three months, Centre has done nothing to improve the situation on the ground. Centre should get rid of Hurriyat fixation.8221;
8226; JKLF8217;s Yaseen Malik and Democratic Freedom Party8217;s Shabir Shah: 8220;Futile, Centre trying to buy time8221;
