Interlocutors’ five broad principles for solution

One of the interlocutors, Prof Radha Kumar, meets Begum Khalida Shah, chairperson of the Awami National Conference, in Srinagar on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

ammu, December 21
The Centre’s interlocutors today announced five broad principles for a political solution of the Kashmir problem and underlined discrimination in the distribution of funds and inequitable development in the state.
Winding up their five-day visit to the Jammu region, the head of the three-member team, Dileep Padgaonkar, told mediapersons here that wherever they went, they observed discrimination in the distribution of funds and inequitable development. He said they asked parties and civil society groups to back their statements with facts while asking the government to give its viewpoint.
He said the Omar Abdullah Government had sent them a report about development activities in the state. “The report gives the details of the allocation of funds and development schemes. After going through the document, we shall be able to reply on the question of discrimination and inequitable distribution of funds,” he said.
Although he did not reply to a question about governance-deficit being the main reason for the resentment among people, Padgaonkar said wherever they went, there were complains of lack of basic amenities. He stressed the need for empowering people at every level.
“During our visit, we met more than 100 delegations in Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri. Despite the diverse views, most of the delegations broadly agreed on some basic principles that should guide the search for a political solution”, he said.
Listing the five broad principles, Padgaonkar said a solution of the problem should be negotiated through peaceful means and violence from any quarters must not be allowed to thwart it.The solution should be acceptable to all three regions in the state to ensure their harmonious co-existence.Lastly, it should rest on the pillars of democracy, rule of law and respect for the diversity of faiths and cultures in the state. “ The political, economic and administrative powers vested in the state must be equitably shared by the three regions. Furthermore, there should be an effective devolution of such powers at the district, block and panchayat levels”, he said, while elaborating. He further suggested that sustained efforts should be made to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the Line of Control (LoC).
During their meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the interlocutors urged him to expedite the recommendations made by them to the Central Government after their first visit to the state in October. The Chief Minister assured them that action was being taken in this regard. Tribune