Will not allow repeat of 1990 in J&K: Chidambaram

Says situation in Kishtwar 'near normal'

Insisting that the situation in violence-hit Jammu and Kashmir is under control, the Centre today said it will extend all help to the state government in maintaining law and order and asserted that the repeat of forced migration witnessed in 1990 will not be allowed.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who made a statement in Rajya Sabha on behalf of indisposed Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, defended the decision of the state government not to allow BJP leader Arun Jaitley to visit Kishtwar town, the scene of communal violence.

Responding to concerns expressed by members over violence in the state, he said the situation in Kishtwar was "near normal" and no untoward incident had been reported since August 9.

While noting that violence had been witnessed in some other parts of Jammu province, the minister said, "Overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir is tense but under control."

He said sufficient army contingents had been deployed in violence-hit areas and they conducted flag marches to instill confidence.

"The central government will extend all support to the state government to maintain law and order and ensure peace and harmony in the state," he said.

He sought to dismiss apprehensions that the situation could go out of hand and lead to a repeat of 1990 when the entire Kashmir Pandit community was forced to leave the Valley.

"We will not allow repetition of 1990. We will not allow forced migration. We will not allow forced resettlement," he asserted.

Stating that a judicial inquiry into the communal clashes in Kishtwar district would be conducted, Chidambaram said the state government would be asked to make it a "credible inquiry".