CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take a "bold" initiative for a political dialogue with all sections in Jammu and Kashmir without any preconditions.Karat drove to the prime minister's 7, Race Course Road residence this morning for a meeting and informed him about his visit to Srinagar where he tried to get an assessment about the "serious situation" prevailing in the state.He told the prime minister that his party was of the opinion that only by recognising the "special status of the state and assuring the Kashmiri people of their identity" that a solution can be found.This requires a new political framework in which the bedrock is "maximum autonomy", he said."This is the time to take a bold initiative for a political dialogue with all sections in the state. Only you can initiate such a process by announcing that a dialogue can be held with all sides without preconditions," Karat told the prime minister.He also urged Singh that Srinagar and other urban centres should be taken out of the Disturbed Areas Act purview which will make the enforcement of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act redundant."There should be a reduction in the security forces deployed in the areas which have seen a drastic reduction in militancy. Many of the bunkers in Srinagar localities manned by the paramilitary forces should be removed," he said in a letter submitted to the prime minister.He also told Singh that there has to be a distinction between dealing with stone-pelting youth and tackling militants resorting to terrorist violence."Given the fact that 66 young men and women have lost their lives due to the police firing from June 11, it is imperative that the approach of resorting to police firing to control the stone pelting crowds should be stopped forthwith," he said. "Ultimately, the Kashmir issue cannot be resolved without a political settlement. There has to be a sustained dialogue with all sections of the people of the state. You had taken some initiative in your previous term in government. But they have not been carried forward," Karat said.He said there has to be an "immediate end" to resorting to police firing to control the stone pelting crowds."The central and state governments should issue strict instructions to security forces not to resort to police firings and use other measures to counter the situation. Every death is further inflaming the situation and bringing ordinary people out into the streets to protest."Unfortunately, no distinction is being made between tackling the stone-throwing youth and the tactics adopted to fight the extremists resorting to terrorist violence," Karat said.He said it was incumbent upon the Centre and the state administration to provide adequate compensation to those who were injured in police firings and rehabilitate those who have permanent disabilities.Karat was also of the view that it would be appropriate for the administration to release all young people who have been arrested and jailed if they are not facing any serious charges.He also noted that the prime minister has told there would be zero tolerance for human rights violations."But unfortunately this is not being seen as being implemented on the ground. Action has not been taken against those guilty in the Pathribal incident. The recent Machil fake encounter case should be taken up and the guilty brought to book."Without such actions, it will not be possible to restore faith in the people that the State will not tolerate excesses and violations of human rights," he said.Karat said that there is an urgent need to generate employment for the youth in Kashmir and this must be accompanied by the rehabilitation of the thousands of former militants and those who were victims of militancy who need jobs and other assistance.

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