CCS to meet, expected to discuss demand for withdrawal of AFSPA

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is meeting today, two days after the return of an all-party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir.

Home Minister P Chidambaram had yesterday held discussions with members of the delegation and sources said the opinion was in favour of taking "structured, graduated step-by-step" confidence building measures for the state.

The CCS is expected to discuss the demands made by the J-K government for withdrawing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act ( AFSPA) from areas like Srinagar and Jammu cities.

Other demands that are likely to come up for discussion include release of youth arrested during protests.

A 36-member all-party delegation had visited Kashmir Valley on Monday during which a few leaders met separatists like Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yaseen Malik.