New Delhi: PDP leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a second time on Saturday in a bid to iron out the differences in the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.
The differences between the PDP and the Congress have arisen from the demand by the former for gradual demilitarisation of Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress has ruled out any withdrawal of troops from the state at this stage.
Apart from troop withdrawal, the PDF has also been demanding the repeal of draconian laws like the Disturbed Areas Act and AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir. The PDF leader had met the PM on Thursday after he was invited to Delhi to sort out the issues. He also met the National Security Adviser on Friday.
Sayeed and PM met again on Saturday on the issue of reduction of troops in civilian areas. While Sayeed did not speak to media after the meeting, official sources said the discussions had revolved around the formation of a committee to examine the issue of troop cuts in civilian areas, vacation of civilian properties occupied by security forces and the repeal of anti-terror laws.
The PDP has sought a political face for the committee, but the Centre politely turned down this demand, saying the panel, if formed, would be headed by a security expert, the sources said.
Prime Minister's media advisor Sanjaya Baru said that the talks were held in a "warm and cordial manner" with both sides referring to the "importance of the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir" and the "vital need" to implement the shared vision on peace and tranquility in the state as enshrined in the National Common Minimum Programme.
"Further consultations will be held to advance this objective," Baru said.
The PDP had earlier indicated that it might pull out of the Congress-led coalition government in Kashmir if the Centre did not concede its demand for troop cuts in the state.
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