The Hindu : National : Ready for talks if militants abjure violence: Manmohan

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Friday, Mar 11, 2005

National

National

Ready for talks if militants abjure violence: Manmohan

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 10. The Government will not compromise in the fight against terrorism but is willing to engage militants in a dialogue if they abjure the path of violence, the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, said in the Lok Sabha today.

Dr. Singh was replying to the Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani's charge that the United Progressive Alliance Government had "completely failed" in meeting the challenge of internal security.

The Prime Minister said the Government would tackle the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, the insurgency in the North-East and the naxalite problem by working with the States in all spheres — political, economic, social and developmental — and helping them modernise their security apparatus.

At the same time, the effort included providing a human touch and understanding genuine grievances.

Denying the charge that Manipur was "burning," Dr. Singh recalled the emotion of the people of Manipur when the Kangla Fort was handed over to them. The response clearly reflected the Government was on the right track.

He was confident that the talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), would be successful. Unlike the previous National Democratic Alliance regime, the UPA conducted the dialogue with the NSCN (I-M) leaders in India and not in Bangkok and Paris. "That alone should be a moral booster," he said.

Turning to Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Singh said that people's participation in the local bodies elections was a "big experiment in democracy" and the level of violence and infiltration had significantly reduced. At the same time, development was getting the attention it deserved. The Government was trying to restructure the planning process so that development in the State could take place at a faster pace and every citizen could live with dignity and self-respect.

Gender equality

In the Rajya Sabha, Dr. Singh touched on gender equality. "The Government is committed to doing everything possible to end gender discrimination in all its forms."

On reserving one-third of the seats in Parliament and the State Legislatures for women, he said the Government was seized of the issue.

"The Home Minister is in dialogue with all political parties and the effort is to bring the Bill to Parliament as early as possible."

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