J-K: PM sets up 5 working groups, Govt ready to reduce troops

Srinagar, May 25 (UNI) In a major step to resolve the Kashmir imbroglio, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today constituted five-high powered groups to establish a credible mechanism to carry forward consultation among various political groups and segments and expressed the Government's readiness to reduce the strength of armed forces in the state if terrorist acts go down.

The working group on strengthening relations between the Centre and the state would deliberate on matters relating to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian union.It will also discuss effective devolution of powers among different regions, sub regional and ethnic aspirations.

The National Conference has demanded a working group on the issue of autonomy. The demand was made today by Party chief Omar Abdullah at the second roundtable on Kashmir, convened by the Prime Minister.

The two-day meet, boycotted by the Hurriyat Conference, separatist groups and the BJP, was attended, among others by The Congress, National Conference, People's Democratic Party (PDP), CPI(M) and the Panthers Party.

Dr Singh said the working groups should also be established on Confidence building measures across segments of society in the state, Economic development and ensuring good governance.

The working group on LoC has been asked to recommend steps for simplifying procedures to facilitate travel, increase goods traffic and expand people to people contact including promotion of pilgrimage and group tourism, besides opening up new routes such as Kargil-Skardu.

On the economic development, the groups would evolve strategy for balanced economic development and employment generation.Similarly on the Good governance it was directed to consider effective measures to increase accountablity and transparency and strengtheneing of self government.

Winding up the deliberations of the two-day meet at a press conference, the Prime Minister said the government could consider reducing the strength of troops in Jammu and Kashmir if terrorism was under control and declared that the centre was ready to talk to anyone who abandoned violence to facilitate a resolution of the Kashmir issue.

He said ''we can consider all options, including the reduction of troops, if the terrorist acts go down.'' He noted that the security personnel were tasked with protecting the life and property of the inhabitants of the state. ''If the basic cause (for their stay) is removed, all options can be considered,'' he added.

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