Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said any step that will reduce communal violence is a good thing but the implications of the proposed Communal Violence Bill on the state has to be discussed before his party, National Conference, takes any decision.
“I cannot talk about it here. My party will discuss it (Communal and Targeted Violence Bill). Any step that will reduce the communal violence is a good thing,” Mr. Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar.
Mr. Abdullah, who is also the working president of the National Conference, an ally of Congress both at the Centre and in the state, was responding to a question on his party’s stand on the Communal Violence Bill, which is likely to be brought in the Parliament during the winter session.
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The Chief Minister said his party will have to discuss the impact of the bill on Jammu and Kashmir in view of its special status in the constitution of the country.
“What effect it will have on Jammu and Kashmir keeping in view the special status of the state, what will be the role of our party and role of the coalition (partners), it needs to be discussed,” he said.
The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, which aims to protect minorities from targeted attack, has been opposed by some states as it envisages empowering the central government to send central forces unilaterally in case of communal disturbances.
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