Centre to ask J&K to withdraw cases against protestors

New Delhi, Sept. 25: The Centre on Saturday unveiled a series of measures to restore normalcy in strife-torn Kashmir. These would include starting talks, paying compensation to those killed in violence and withdrawing cases against agitators.

Briefing the media, the home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, said the Centre would advise the Jammu and Kashmir government to release all students detained for stone pelting and similar violation of law and to withdraw all charges.

The Centre would advise the J&K government to review cases of all Public Safety Act (PSA) detenues and withdraw detention orders in appropriate cases.

The government will grant ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the family of each of those killed in civil disturbances in Kashmir since June 11, Mr Chidambaram said.

Mr Chidambaram said the Centre would appoint a Group of Interlocutors under the chairmanship of an eminent person to begin the process of sustained dialogue with political parties, groups, students, civil society

The Centre would request the Omar Abdullah government to immediately convene a meeting of Unified Command to review deployment of security forces in Kashmir valley, especially at Srinagar, with particular reference to descaling those at bunkers and check points in the summer capital and other towns.

The Centre would provide Rs 100 crore additional assistance for the state government to sanction grants for improving infrastructure in educational institutions.

The state government would be requested take steps to immediately reopen schools, colleges, universities, hold special classes and to ensure examinations are conducted on schedule for the current academic year, Mr Chidambaram said.