Pattan: There was no let-up in violence in Kashmir as three civilians died in police firing. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reached out to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in an effort to evolve a package for the Valley.
Several people were injured in Patan in North Kashmir as the police opened fire after protestors pelted stones at them. The toll of civilian deaths in firing by security forces now stands at 68 since June.
Meanwhile, New Delhi is considering a phased withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which is a key demand of the Kashmiris. But the BJP is talking tough on the Act.
After the meeting with the PM, BJP leader L K Advani expressed concern over the situation in Kashmir. "Attacks on central forces are worrisome. The separatists have started a new terror movement in Kashmir due to which the condition in the state has worsened. The government should take immediate steps or this will go against the country. The government shouldn't do anything that encourages separatists. Security forces are being demonised," he said.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the Centre was considering relaxations in the AFSPA and also its withdrawal in a phased manner. He said discussions were in an advanced stage to withdraw AFSPA from certain areas, where situation had improved.
Omar, who was addressing a public rally in Jammu, also said the past two months had been the most difficult part of his political career so far.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/battleground-kashmir-again-as-three-die-in-firing/130401-37-64.html?from=tn
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