August 7, 2010 1:57 PM

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Committed to reactivate dialogue in Valley: PC

Home Minister P Chidambaram has said that the Government was committed to reactivate the political process in Jammu and Kashmir. He said he would be happy if the hardline Hurriyat joins the dialogue process.Chidambaram was responding to the clarifications in the Rajya Sabha on Friday on his statement made in the two Houses of Parliament on Wednesday. The Home Minister said that an all-party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir was expected to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week.He said the Centre would soon convene a meeting of leaders of political parties in Parliament to discuss the situation in the troubled state. The Home Minister added that the Government was willing to restart quite talks which he said were interrupted in December last year, following an attack on a moderate Hurriyat leader.He said the Government was willing to consider the suggestion of sending an all-party delegation to the state but at the same time it was important to restore law and order and end the violence.He maintained that the security forces were acting with great degree of restraint. Chidambaram said for winning the hearts and minds of people, the Centre has to deliver on its promises and assured members that his ministry is working out to evolve a strategy to address the concerns on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.Several sections in Kashmir have been demanding withdrawal of this Act. He informed the House that the number of security forces in the valley was reduced after the improvement of situation.Joining the members of the House in condoling the families who lost their kith and kin in the cycle of violence, he appealed the people, particularly the youth, to exercise restraint to avoid any untoward incident. The Home Minister said that Pakistan had probably changed its strategy after effective measures were taken to prevent infiltration and deal firmly with terrorists.AIR correspondent reports that the members while seeking clarifications from the Minister urged the government to resume dialogue and work for restoration of autonomy to the state. They also called for sending an all party delegation to Kashmir to restore confidence among the people. The leader of the opposition in his descending note however opposed any concession to be given to those working against the interests of the country and called for strict action against law breakers. ‘

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