The Centre today said that a decision on Kashmir will be taken after tomorrow's all-party meeting. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Defence Minister A K Antony said, important decisions have to be taken after carefully assessing all aspects. He said, yesterday's Cabinet Committee on Security had a very long meeting and the government thought before taking a final call, it should take into confidence all the major parties so that everybody is involved. The Minister was responding to questions on violence in Kashmir and discussions on withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, AFSPA, from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to situation in Kashmir as very serious, Mr. Antony appealed to all sides to show restraint. Ahead of the all party meeting on Kashmir being held in New Delhi tomorrow, the BJP today reiterated its stand that it is against any change on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA or its withdrawal from any of the border State. Briefing reporters in New Delhi, the party Spokesman Mr Shahnawaj Hussain said that an invitation has been received and the party will participate in the all party meeting. He said, there is no point of resumption of dialogue process in Jammu and Kashmir until peace is restored. While Communist Party of India today demanded a meaningful political dialogue to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir and withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act . The demand comes a day ahead of the all-party meeting on Kashmir convened by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The party condemned the violence provoked by certain elements in the US. The party in a statement also appealed to the people in Kashmir not to fall prey to any provocation.In a related development, the core group of the ruling National Conference is meeting in Srinagar today to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley. It will discuss the situation in the Valley especially yesterday's incidents of violence and arson that left 17 people dead and 70 others injured. The dead included a policeman, while over hundred police personnel also sustained injuries, 41 of them are said to be serious. Violence erupted yesterday after a television channel aired report of alleged desecration of holy Quran in the United States. The Jammu and Kashmir government blamed the hardline Hurriyat Conference for instigating violence. Addressing a press conference last evening, the State DGP, Kuldeep Khoda said that Imtiaz Haider, a close associate of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani instigated people at Budgam to defy curfew and target the public properties. Meanwhile, Curfew was extended to all major towns of the Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure to prevent people from pouring out on roads and streets. AIR Srinagar correspondent reports that five people were injured today in fresh wave of protests in the capital town and Baramula.
News On AIR | September 14, 2010 4:33 PM
Decision on Kashmir after all-party meeting: Antony