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Omar tries to pitch for Eid package with PM New Delhi, September 8 The CCS is expected to meet shortly to hold discussions on the prevailing situation in Kashmir and the possible solutions to the problem. “The issue will be discussed threadbare at the meet,” a senior UPA minister said. The consistent demand of either withdrawing AFSPA from certain districts of the state or amending the law to make it more “humane” was stressed again today by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to thrash out issues for the CCS to take a final view. "Yes, I have requested the Prime Minister to take a decision on amending the AFSPA or at best withdrawing it from some areas where it was not required. To begin with we may choose four districts in the state on experimental basis," Omar said after the meeting. Omar said, "Some calculated risks have to be taken... let us see." Asked whether he was hopeful, he said, "If I am not hopeful, I won't be here." On his meeting with PM, Omar said he had very good discussions with the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. The CCS headed by the Prime Minister will be meeting on Friday to discuss and take a decision on AFSPA, official sources said. The Prime Minister had on Monday told editors that he would soon be calling a meeting of the CCS to "threadbare" discuss the Kashmir situation. Omar, who stayed on for PM’s Iftaar party tonight, earlier demanded a decision on AFSPA’s partial withdrawal or amendment in line with the aspirations of locals in the state, which saw unprecedented public protests since early June when a youngster died in police firing.Omar is learnt to have argued for AFSPA’s withdrawal from four to six districts including Jammu and Samba in the Jammu division and Srinagar and Ganderbal in the Kashmir division. Interestingly, both the Kashmir areas from where the state government wants the Act lifted are bastions of the ruling National Conference. Ganderbal is Omar’s own assembly constituency in the Valley; also, all eight segments of Srinagar are with the NC. Apart from the amendments to AFSPA (based on the decline in infiltration attempts from across the border), which the government is agreeable to consider in a way that the Act appears less draconian to the people, Omar also sought a special package for the kin of those killed in firing in the Valley and those injured in protests. A case is also learnt to have been made for an offer of peace dialogue to all sections involved in the Kashmir problem. The Prime Minister had earlier in his address on the situation in the Valley mentioned the need for a political solution for Kashmir. He had admitted the problem was over 60 years old and needed attention. The Chief Minister said that there have been recommendations made by the Law Commission and Administrative Reforms Commission about the repealing of the act. The Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Veerappa Moily, now Law Minister, has also endorsed withdrawal of AFSPA or at least incorporation of some measures which prevents giving sweeping powers to the security forces. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also constituted a committee headed by Hamid Ansari before he became the Vice President, to find ways for improving internal confidence building measures. The Ansari panel had recommended revocation of AFSPA in the state. ELEMENTS OF PROPOSED PACKAGE l
Omar seeks decision on AFSPA’s partial withdrawal or amendment in line with locals’ aspirations.
l Interestingly, both areas from where the govt wants the Act lifted are bastions of the ruling NC. l Omar also sought a special package for the kin of those killed in firing in the Valley. l A case is also learnt to have been made for an offer of peace dialogue to all sections involved. l The CCS headed by the PM will be meeting on Friday to discuss and take a decision on AFSPA.
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