Interlocutors have changed Kashmir discourse: Chidambaram
By IANSTuesday, January 4, 2011
NEW DELHI - Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said there has been a significant improvement in the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir as the government-appointed interlocutors have been able to “change the discourse” in the troubled valley.
“The three-month period of agitation was an unfortunate and deeply regrettable chapter. However, after the visit of the all-party parliamentary delegation and the appointment of interlocutors, there has been a significant improvement in the law and order situation,” Chidambaram said.
“In particular, the interlocutors have been able to change the discourse and have been able to persuade a number of stakeholders to offer suggestions for a political solution,” the home minister told reporters, giving the monthly report card of his ministry.
He said a parliamentary panel discussed matters relating to Jammu and Kashmir in December, while the interlocutors - senior journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, noted academician Radha Kumar and economist M.M. Ansari - visited the state for the third time last month.
“During the visit, they met Governor (N.N. Vohra) and Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah), senior leaders of mainstream political parties, and senior administrative and police officials. They also met 130 delegations in the Jammu city, Poonch, Rajouri, Srinagar and Langate.”
