Cover Your A$$!!
There is no political initiative to reach a solution. Military was supposed to create an environment to facilitate that, it has achieved the desired levels.
This is where I say, Indians need to broaden their horizons ..... you are talking to a guy who has been there and done that, so do understand that I speak with experience.
There is no question of demilitarisation without a political settlement. No one calls for that. Neither I nor
@Joe Shearer have ever said that in any forum. What is needed is to demarcate the roles of the forces. To upgrade the capability of the JKP and CAPFs for better crowd control and management with non lethal yet effective strategies. That shall entail a radical changeover in policing training and training of the officer cadre as also augmenting and changeover of the existing crowd control methods. Pellet guns don't control - they inflame.
AFSPA will remain till as such time armed forces remain. Nothing to discuss on that.
Talk to Pakistan - yes it is required. Until and unless you reach a political settlement in terms of either firming up the LC as a new IB or take some decisive steps to get back Pakistani Kashmir, the whole exercise remains futile.
Pre-1953?? Things have moved on ..
Now coming back to what is meant by political initiatives. You need to strengthen the governance, that is the first and foremost requirement.
You need to get back those who left valley (Kashmir Pandits) as also provide a secure environment for their settlement.
These are the two strong initiatives required. In addition, you need to reach a settlement with Pakistan on Kashmri one way or the other.
I can't buy land in HP, Sikkim, NE, Uttarakhand ..... there it is ... nothing special about J&K ... why are you so hell bent on making it special?