Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's initiative in involving all political parties is a good move and he is trying to reach out to separatists that the centre is willing to talk to all groups provided they shun violence. Everybody agreed that dialogue is the only way forward but held on to their divergent political views. The immediate follow up is the visit of an all- party delegation to the valley so that it can interact with the local people and find out their grievances first hand. Unless political parties both at the centre and the state rise above petty politics and arrive at a consensus to adopt a bold political process there could be no way forward. As the Cabinet Committee on security had noted priority should be to address the trust deficit and the governance deficit. The other important demand of Omar to dilute or withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is also on hold waiting for a consensus.

Although Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is dreaming of finding a solution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue, any forward movement is still eluding. Singh himself admitted recently that he could not produce a rabbit out of his head and counseled patience. The disappointing factor is that he had convened a round table three times and had setup 5 working groups, which have submitted their reports but they are gathering dust. Singh had visited Kashmir six times but with no tangible result. During his June visit, Prime Minister held back from picking up the threads of his earlier parleys with the state leaders to allow political space to the young chief minister.

If Delhi and Srinagar thought that the good turnout in the Assembly polls signified the popular approval of Kashmir's integration with India, it is not correct. Obviously both the Centre and the state government were not able to read the signals properly. The current spate of protests and demonstrations has been simmering since June and it has taken weeks to explode. A number of factors led to the present crisis. First of all it is the culmination of two years of drift and inaction since Omar took over. Secondly, poor governance and lack of development have disenchanted the people. Thirdly, the frustration of the youth who want jobs, health and education has added to the crisis. The new generation of youth resents the presence of security forces as it grew up in a climate of militancy and repression. Fourthly the security mindedness of the centre and the state has irked the people of the valley. Above all, Omar Abdullah has turned out to be a misfit in Kashmir politics. His failure to develop effective administrative instruments and the resentments within his party cadre ensured that his party ceded authority to secessionists. His style of functioning and his continued week- end trips to Delhi had left everyone gaping. His choice of advisers is also a major reason for the unrest. In fact, Omar is being seen as the villain. Neither the NC nor the Congress has tried to bridge the gap between the people and the government with the result the young protestors have filled up this vacuum. The All India Hurriyat Conference, which is in shambles has used this opportunity to revive. For decades Pakistan has been trying to claim Kashmir by sponsoring militancy. But today with a widespread disillusionment Pakistan's job is made easy.

How to get out of this crisis? The centre is obviously mulling various options. The first is a take over by Dr Farooq Abdullah, which means the end of the road for Omar. The second is for the NC to look for an alternative chief minister but there is no one of that stature. The third is for the Congress to send its chief minister, which the high command is not keen. The fourth is for the Congress to join with the PDP and form the government but the numbers are not adequate. The last resort is Governor's rule but the Congress is not keen on this. It would rather like buffer between the Centre and the state. So for the present it would only nudge Omar and make him act. That is why the centre has asked Omar to restore law and order and promised all help.

More of economic package and resumption of dialogue process may not be sufficient to douse the situation. The government should provide confidence to the people that they will find a solution. Restoring law and order, political and economic issues and above all security to life and freedom of movement are the real issues for the people. Any delay in reaching out to the people of the valley may be construed as the government's insensitivity to their sentiments. In short, it is time to act and instill confidence to the people of the valley. Dialogue should follow. With the impending visit of the US President Obama to India, the situation is likely to get worse as the separatists have always utilized such occasions to get international focus. (IPA Service)