Significant improvement in J-K law and order situation after visit of all-party delegation: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI - Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday said that there has been a significant improvement in the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the visit of the all-party parliamentary delegation and the appointment of interlocutors.

“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 told reporters, while presenting the monthly report card of his ministry.

“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,” he added.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, appointed the three-member panel including veteran journalist Deelip Padgaonkar, academician Radha Kumar and Central Information Commissioner M. M. Ansari on October 13 to ascertain the cross section of opinions, including that of separatists.

During the visit, they met Governor NN Vohra, 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. (ANI)