What the PM said in his first remarks on Kashmir unrest

NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday made a fresh initiative to address the unrest in the Kashmir Valley as he urged the people, particularly the youth, to “give peace a chance”.

Following are the highlights of his first public comments after the two-month long turmoil during which over 50 people, mostly youth, were killed.

On recent deaths: “The events in Kashmir over the past few weeks have caused me great pain. I share the grief, the sorrow and the sense of loss of every mother, every father, every family and every child in Kashmir.”

On the aspirations and anger among the younger generation: “I can feel the pain and understand the anger and frustration that is bringing young people out on to the streets of Kashmir. Let us make a new beginning. I appeal to the youth to go back to their schools and colleges and allow classes to resume.”

Ready for dialogue: “I am convinced that the only way forward in Jammu and Kashmir is along the path of dialogue and reconciliation. I recognize that the key to the problem is a political solution that addresses the alienation and emotional needs of the people. This can only be achieved through a sustained internal and external dialogue. We are ready for this.”

Review of AFSPA, a hint: “We understand the prevailing public sentiment on the issue of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).”

Empowering the youth: “Every possible effort should be made to reach out to the youth in Jammu and Kashmir. We must respond in a sincere and substantive manner to their genuine aspirations for freedom from fear and for freedom to build for themselves a life of dignity, security and well-being.”

Job sops: “I am proposing to set up an expert group headed by C. Rangarajan with N.R. Narayana Murthy, Tarun Das, P. Nanda Kumar, Shakeel Qalander and an official representative of the J&K government as members to formulate a jobs plan for the state, involving both the public and the private sectors.”

“But to show results of such efforts on the ground, you will have to engage actively with the youth and give them the sense of purpose, hope and direction they need to make use of the many opportunities that our economy provides,” he said, signing off with an “optimistic” note about the future of Jammu and Kashmir.