No difference of opinion on Kashmir in cabinet: Antony
September 12th, 2010 - 2:28 pm ICT by IANS
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 12 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony Sunday denied reports of differences of opinion in the union cabinet on tackling the violence in Kashmir, a day ahead of a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting to discuss a peace package for the troubled state.
“Tomorrow (Monday) the cabinet sub committee on security is meeting in Delhi. In the cabinet once a decision is arrived at, then there would be no difference of opinion. I am not interested in starting a debate on this,” Antony told reporters here on the sidelines of a function.
“The frequent clashes in Kashmir are a cause of concern to all,” he added.
The CCS meeting, which was to be held Saturday, was postponed to Monday. Several media reports said the government was taking time to “arrive at a consensus on the package”, and that the Congress core committee meeting had not reached a consensus on the package.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday and requested for the lifting of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), at least from a few districts of the state, as part of the package.
The act gives legal immunity to security forces against damage, including loss of life, caused during operations in the state.
At least 69 civilians, mostly teenagers and young men, have been killed in firing by security forces on stone-pelting street protesters since June 11 in Kashmir. The cycle of violence has led to frequent shutdowns and curfew in the valley for the past three months.
- CCS meeting on Kashmir postponed to Monday - Sep 11, 2010
- CCS meets Monday amidst volatile Kashmir situation - Sep 12, 2010
- Eid package for Kashmir likely Friday - Sep 09, 2010
- CCS fails to take decision on Kashmir situation, calls for all party meet - Sep 13, 2010
- CCS may discuss Kashmir Eid package Saturday (Lead) - Sep 10, 2010
- CCS meet to discuss withdrawal of AFSPA in Kashmir - Sep 13, 2010
- Final decision on Kashmir Valley after all-party meet, says Antony - Sep 14, 2010
- AFSPA withdrawal row : Omar Abdullah meets Chidambaram, Sonia ahead of Cabinet meet - Sep 13, 2010
- Manmohan Singh briefs Army Commanders on Kashmir unrest - Sep 13, 2010
- Kashmir stone-pelters to be freed: CCS - Sep 25, 2010
- UPA Govt. clueless, spineless, says Advani on Kashmir Valley unrest - Sep 14, 2010
- Omar meets PM, Eid peace package likely (Lead) - Sep 08, 2010
- BJP cautions against diluting army's special powers - Sep 12, 2010
- Unified command to meet soon on AFSPA: Omar - Sep 25, 2010
- PM to meet Omar to discuss Kashmir package - Sep 08, 2010
Tags: antony, cabinet committee, chief minister, core committee, curfew, cycle of violence, defence minister, difference of opinion, frequent clashes, jammu, kashmir, legal immunity, manmohan, manmohan singh, peace package, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, shutdowns, thiruvananthapuram, union cabinet
