Omar, top army officer discuss Kashmir situation
By IANSSunday, January 16, 2011
JAMMU - The Indian Army’s Northern Command chief, Lt. Gen. K.T. Parnaik, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah discussed the issue of troop recall and repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state, a statement said here Sunday.
This was the first meeting between the two.
Parnaik took over as General officer Commanding-in-chief of the Northern Command Jan 1.
An official press release issued here Sunday evening said that it was a one-on-one meting, but did not give details. The meeting lasted 40 minutes.
But sources told IANS that the issues discussed related to the overall situation in the state against the backdrop of the designs of Pakistans spy agency Inter-Srvices Intelligence (ISI).
The most important point of their discussion, according to sources, was regarding the differing perceptions of the state government and the army on the troop reduction from Jammu and Kashmir as also the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives legal immunity to the troops fighting terrorism in the state.
It was not immediately known as the how the differing perceptions would be reconciled, but sources said that there was a free and frank exchange of views on these issues.
