'Drastic reduction of troops in J

Srinagar, Aug 31: CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today said the Centre should immediately reassess the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and take some bold initiatives, including ''drastic'' reduction of troops, in the troubled-state.

''Time is fast running out...It will be appropriate for leadership in New Delhi to reassess the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Some bold initiatives are required such as drastic reduction of troops involved in internal security of the state so as to give the much-needed relief to the people,'' Mr Tarigami told a public meeting at Wachi in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

The Jammu and Kashmir CPI(M) Secretary said it was imperative to make the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan more meaningful and result-oriented.

''The blame game should be immediately stopped in the interest of the people of the two countries and peace in the region,'' he added.

Mr Tarigami said for the past two years, both India and Pakistan have agreed to resolve their outstanding differences peacefully. The ongoing peace process between the two countries has resulted into a number of CBMs which aroused hopes in the sub-continent, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

The CPI(M) leader said the dialogue process must be carried forward in a meaningful manner. ''We hope that both the countries meet the challenges that lie ahead in the path to peace. In the meantime trade and travel between the two parts of the state must be thrown open to everyone and people-to-people interaction encouraged at every level,'' he added.

The postponement of talks between foreign secretaries of the two countries, the CPI(M) leader said should not lead to a halt in the peace process or a deadlock in the dialogue.

Mr Tarigami said to retrieve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the state needed to be brought back to its un-eroded status, as a first step. This should lead to gradual restoration of trust and confidence, which could pave the way for re-conciliation and peaceful solution of all issues, he added.

''One need not waste his breath on hair-splitting of self-rule or autonomy. Both the expressions convey the identical meaning -- to enable the state to be the masters of their own fate and make the people, at the grassroots level, real participants in exercise of power, whether political, financial or any other,'' he said. The CPI(M) leader said the alienation of people of Jammu and Kashmir has been mounting. ''The question is how to minimise its level. The rulers have chosen not to recognise it and instead use force to suppress the feelings, which has resulted in further alienation,'' he added.

Mr Tarigami said the best way to tackle this phenomenon, was, to first recognise the existence of alienation, try to find out its roots and then apply proper remedies.

''Again, no amount of self-rule or autonomy can bring results unless diversity in the state itself is recognised. Three main regions of the state present a picture of distinct cultures, ethnicities, religions, languages and customs. Their requirements cannot be uniform,'' he added.

UNI

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