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Afghanistan/South Asia
Indian PM meets Kashmiri separatists
2005-09-06
India's prime minister, who has held a landmark meeting with Kashmiri separatists, said he will cut troops in the disputed territory if violence and militant infiltration from Pakistan stops. He also pledged respect for human rights in the Himalayan region where tens of thousands have died. The three-hour meeting, which included formal talks and dinner, came after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to the first-ever official talks between an Indian leader and moderate Kashmiri separatists since an anti-Indian rebellion erupted in 1989. Kashmir is held in part but claimed in full by both India and Pakistan.

"The prime minister said that if there is a cessation of violence and end to infiltration, conditions will be created for the reduction of armed forces" (in Kashmir), a statement from the prime minister's office said. He also pledged to meet again with the separatists to discuss steps to reduce violence in the state, including rights abuses by Indian troops. The troops are the target of wide resentment among many Kashmiris. "He agreed to review all cases of those held in detention and ensure that violation of human dignity would not be tolerated and the government would take all necessary measures to safeguard against human rights violations," the statement said.
Posted by:Fred

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