J-K quiet diplomacy to consider all issues brought to table:PC

He also said that the issue of amendments to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA),which the state would like to be withdrawn,was before the Cabinet.

However,Chidambaram refused to discuss the roadmap for the dialogue he had promised to the people of Jammu and Kashmir during his recent visit to Srinagar or the issues that may come up in that.

“We are not (not) discussing this. If we discuss this,it is not (not) quiet diplomacy. As I said there are many sides of political opinion in Jammu and Kashmir. We will consult every shade of political opinion. But it will be done quietly,far away from the glare of the media,” he said in an interview.

Asked what kind of shades of opinion the government was referring to,he said,”I said every shade of political opinion will be consulted.

Does it include Hurriyat?,he was asked. “I am not (not) elaborating every shade of the political opinion.”

When suggested that it is the crux of the issue,the Minister said,”That is the answer. There are many shades of political opinion. everyone will be consulted.”

Asked when the exercise would begin,Chidambaram said he could not (not) discuss the starting date or the ending date.

“All I can say is that we intend to pursue the policy of quiet diplomacy away from the glare of the media. I have no fascination for photo opportunity.”

About the issues that may be discussed in the dialogue,he said,”Let us see,we will talk to everyone and then the issues will be thrown up in those talks”.

In reply to a question whether the issues include restoration of autonomy,over which the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution in 2000 during the tenure of Farooq Abdullah as Chief Minister,the Minister said,”As I said,anything that is brought to the table,it will be considered and the table will be away from the media.”

The Assembly resolution had demanded restoration of autonomy to the state. Asked about withdrawal of army and paramilitary forces from the Valley,he said the situation in the state was improving everyday and the Centre has withdrawn some battalions of paramilitary forces.

“But these are operational decisions taken by the Unified Command there. There are times when the number of security personnel will be enhanced,there are times when it will be reduced.

“For example,before the Amarnath Yatra,we increased it. Now after the Yatra,it has been reduced. These are operational decisions,not (not) political decisions.”

On the AFSPA,Chidambaram said the Centre has promised to revisit the law in pursuance of the statement made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“Justice Jeeven Reddy Committee was appointed. They have given a report. Based on that report and other inputs,we have drafted amendments to the AFSPA,which are before the Cabinet.”

The Reddy Committee had recommended repealing of the AFSPA,saying recommending the continuation of the present law with or without amendments does not (not) arise.

Asked whether the state police was capable of handling the situation,Chidambaram said they were becoming more capable as can be seen from the successes they have scored in the last six or seven weeks on the border and near the border. Only a couple of days ago,they were able to neutralise a terrorist in Sopore,he added.