By IANS
New Delhi : India is adopting a step-by-step approach on restoring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister A.K. Antony has said.
“The government is following a step-by-step approach on restoring normalcy in Kashmir,” he told officials here about his visit to the state Saturday, his third after assuming office last October.
Among the steps being taken are vacation of school buildings and other properties currently occupied by the security forces and paying higher compensation for those that are retained.
Steps are also being taken to contain human rights violations.
“These steps have been welcomed by all political parties, including the (ruling coalition partner) Peoples Democratic Party and the (opposition) National Conference,” Antony said.
“The momentum will be maintained. We are keeping a close watch and will review the situation from time to time,” he added.
The Indian Army has been fighting an 18-year-old insurgency in Kashmir that New Delhi blames on Pakistan. Islamabad denies the charge.
Kashmir’s all political parties, barring the ruling Congress, have demanded troops withdrawal from the state as violence levels have fallen.
Antony has repeatedly said he would go by the army’s recommendations on this.
As recently as Saturday, Indian Army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor said the time was not ripe for reducing force levels in Kashmir.
During his day-long visit to Srinagar on Saturday, Antony reviewed the ground situation with top civil and military officials.