PM says Kashmiri youth in PoK can return

Srinagar, May 24: In a bold initiative to resolve the Kashmir issue, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today declared his government's readiness to facilitate the return of thousands of misguided Kashmiri youths from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and called upon the security forces to be more humane and show 'zero tolerance' for custodial deaths.

Addressing the second roundtable on Kashmir here this afternoon, the Prime Minister also unfolded a five-point peace plan to bring people from both sides of the LoC together and harmonise relations among various distinct identities of the state.

''In the light of the changing environment, we are reviewing the cases of all the detainees, including the cases of those who crossed over after violating laws and who are now anxious to come home,'' he said while referring to the Kashmiri youths who had crossed over to the other side under the influence of 'jehadi' groups.

The Kashmiri youths who are now languishing in PoK have expressed their desire to return and join the national mainstream.

Earlier, while chairing a meeting of the Unified Command, the Prime Minister called upon the security forces to ensure there are no human rights violations and that there should be zero tolerance for custodial deaths.

He asked the forces to be people-friendly and avoid any ''collateral damage'' during anti-insurgency operations.

''Be firm, but humane; effective and efficient in control, but intrusive. You must be steadfast and committed for human rights,'' Dr Singh said.

The roundtable was boycotted by separatist and secessionist parties including moderate Hurriyat Conference Chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation front Chief Yasin Malik. However, all mainstream political parties, barring the BJP, attended it.

However, Dr Singh expressed the hope that the Hurriyat Conference will join the roundtable at an ''appropriate time.'' Stressing on the need to strengthen relations between the State and Centre, the Prime Minister said there are two dimensions to the problems of Jammu and Kashmir. ''One in the relationship between Delhi and Srinagar and the other is the relationship between Delhi and Islamabad. These two dimensions are of course different, but each affects the other. In your exchange of views here, I want you to keep this in mind.'' For the UPA government, the Prime Minister said, the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir was of top most priority. He asserted that every resident of the state, irrespective of religion and region, should lead a life of dignity free from oppression, poverty and fear.

''Putting the tragic memories of the past behind us, it is our endeavour that we work together to build a prosperous future for the state,'' he added.

On reconstruction and development, Dr Singh said a Rs 27000 crore plan was moving forward. There has been progress in power generation, creation of employment opportunites and expansion of roads and infrastructure. A long term vision for J and K will be included in the 11th Five Year Plan, he said.

The Prime Minister asked the security forces to be humane and work within prescribed parameters while dealing effectively, efficiently and firmly with militants and asserted that there will be zero tolerance for custodial deaths, while chairing a Unified Command meeting for the first time here. ''It is possible and desirable that you should be firm but humance, effective and eficient, in control but inobtrusive,'' Dr Singh told the security forces.

The Peoples Democratic Party, a ruling coalition partner, demanded measured reduction of troops, disengagement of Army from security operations and repeal of special powers given to armed forces in the state.

Participating in the roundtable, PDP chief patron and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said, ''As a confidence building measure our country should, with fresh resolve, seriously consider measured reduction in the involvement of armed forces in carrying out security operations and entrust more responsibility to the state police to deal with the situation.'' State CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami urged the Centre to identify areas which could be developed as ''peace zones and gradually reduce the size'' of security forces deployed in the strife-torn state.

Presenting a paper at the two-day roundtable he also demanded measures for providing ''fair and prompt trial'' to all detenues and release those not involved in heinous crimes.

Meanwhile, as the deliberations were on militants killed a political activist and caused a series of blasts injuring 20 people, including four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the Valley.

However, security forces and police averted two major tragedies when they detected and later defused two powerful Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by militants.

UNI