NEW DELHI: The Centre will constitute an eight-member committee to look into the demand for withdrawal of troops from civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir and repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

The decision was taken after People's Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan on Saturday.

Officially, it was said the two leaders during their second meeting this week "referred" to the importance of the Congress-PDP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir and the vital need to implement the shared vision of peace and tranquillity in the State, but sources within the PDP confirmed the agreement on formation of the committee.

According to the sources, the committee would be formally announced on Monday after Congress president Sonia Gandhi's meeting with the Mufti.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, too, has been asked to come to Delhi on Monday.

The committee, comprising officials from the Centre, the State and security forces, will submit its report within two months. However, it is not yet clear who will head the committee.

In the meantime, the security forces will be asked to vacate orchards, agricultural land and private property. While they will be given alternative sites, their vacation will follow review of the August 2001 notification of the Disputed Areas Act wherever possible, the sources said. Also, the "vacated" areas will be handed over to the State police, who will have a greater role to play in maintaining law and order.

Emerging from the 45-minute meeting with Dr. Singh, the Mufti said the "talks" were on, while the Prime Minister's Media Adviser Sanjay Baru read out a statement that said: "The two leaders held wide-ranging talks on the prevailing situation in J&K. The talks were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere and covered all aspects of the current situation [in the State]."

It added: "There was near-unanimity of views on what needed to be done. Both leaders referred to the importance of the coalition Government in J&K and the vital need to implement the shared vision of peace... "

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail