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Mufti Sayeed and daughter Mehbooba - new rulers of
Kashmir
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IOL
South Asia Correspondent
NEW
DELHI, November 1 (IslamOnline) - The coalition of People’s Democratic
Party, Congress Party, smaller parties and independents due to take over
reins of government in Jammu and Kashmir state has brought together an
impressive “ common minimum program” (CMP), which if implemented,
would solve most of the state’ s problems.
The
common minimum program’s objective is to heal the physical,
psychological and emotional wounds, restore rule of law, and take
forward the political process begun by the recent elections.
The
coalition’ s mission statement includes requesting the Government of
India to initiate and hold “ sincerely and seriously,” wide-ranging
consultations and dialogue without preconditions with members of
legislature and other segments of Kashmiri public opinion to evolve a
consensus to restore peace and honor.
The
coalition has decided to release all political prisoners as well as
other offenders whose stay in jails, prior to sentencing, exceeds the
usual jail term awarded for such offences.
POTA
(Prevention of Terrorism Act), a piece of legislation fiercely opposed
by opposition leaders and liberal sections of society, but rushed
through by the anti-Muslim Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), would not be
implemented by the state.
The
coalition is of the opinion that there are enough laws in the sate to
deal with militancy. Hence, there is no need for a law like POTA.
The
coalition has decided to investigate all cases of custodial killings,
that is killings which took place after the arrest of a person by the
police and security forces. Violations of human rights shall be
investigated and persons found responsible for the excesses brought to
book.
The
CMP stresses the return of all Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) to their homes,
and regards their safety and their complete rehabilitation as a
priority.
For
people living close to the Line of Control, whose life is disturbed
every time there is a rise in tension, the coalition envisages permanent
shelters and relocation to safer areas in more troublesome cases.
To
improve accountability, the coalition will create an institution to
investigate complaints against the chief minister, ministers, members of
the legislative assembly and other influential people. Its head will be
appointed by the chief minister in consultation with chief justice of
the state and leader of the opposition in the legislative assembly.
The
coalition government will give full powers to Leh Autonomous Hill
Council (in the Buddhist-dominated part of Ladakh) and has mooted a
similar council for Kargil (the Muslim-dominated area of Ladakh).
The
CMP says the coalition government will help the Center in stopping and
fighting cross-border terrorism.
Backward
communities like Gujjars and Gaddis will get special attention for
development and welfare, and Pahari-speaking people will get Scheduled
Tribe status which will allow them to benefit from reservations for
weaker sections in education and jobs..
Welfare
and rehabilitation of people affected by militancy is a central idea in
the CMP, so is the empowerment of the masses through decentralization
under Panchayati Raj (village government) institutions. Welfare and
rehabilitation will include families of militants who were earlier
barred from such benefits.
In
short, the coalition has a perfect recipe for solving the long-suffering
state’ s immediate problems, provided the CMP is implemented.
