In a speech televised live, the PM sought to signal a healing touch by expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of lives and by acknowledging the resentment that Armed Forces Special Powers Act evokes from people even as he noted that any peace outreach could yield results only if there was "prolonged peace".
In what can be seen as a slight or oblique criticism of the state government, he also said the package for economic reconstruction had not been fully felt on the ground and promised to address this. He announced a group comprising the head of the PM's economic advisory council C Rangarajan, N R Narayana Murthy, Tarun Das, P Nanda Kumar and Shaqeel Qalander and a representative of the J&K government to formulate a jobs plan.
Although his remarks came at a meeting with an all-party delegation from J&K, the PM was appealing to a larger audience in the Kashmir Valley, particularly the youth who have been at the forefront of the rock pelting protests. Speaking in Urdu, the lingua franca of the Valley, the PM struck a note of empathy for the youth in Kashmir, who he said had grown up seeing nothing but violence and had been scarred by suffering.
"I can feel the pain and understand the anger and frustration that is bringing young people out on to the streets of Kashmir," he said. This marked a change of tonality; also because the PM refrained from mentioning the role of outsiders -- a euphemism for Pakistan's well-known role in stoking trouble.
"The cycle of violence must now come to an end. We must collectively ensure that no innocent life is lost again," the PM said even as he asserted that government has to ensure that peace is established.
In his concluding remarks at the end of the three-hour meeting, the PM said if there was a wide enough consensus in J&K, political devolution could be considered "within the four walls of the Constitution". He pointed out that "all of us are servants of the Constitution".
In his speech the PM also referred to the initiatives - working groups and round-table the Centre has taken under him in what was interpreted by many as an attempt to emphasize upon J&K that he had the right credentials to attempt the bridge-building with the estranged population. "Our government, more than any other government in the past, has invested heavily in the peace process in Kashmir," the PM reminded. The pitch also appeared to be a fresh invite to PDP whose leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was the chief minister when those steps were taken.
The attempt at partnerhip was reflected in compliments he paid to people for the "brave rejection of militancy" - a reference to high participation in the last two assembly polls.
While acknowledging the "prevailing public sentiment" over the AFSPA, PM said that "eventually J&K Police has to take on the burden of normal law and order duties".
Singh also seemed to acknowledge the disconnect between CM Omar Abdullah and people, but pledged full support to the young chief minister now that he is making efforts "to renew contact with the people".
But the PM balanced his pitch by pointing to constraints. Not only did he make it clear that the political solution cannot be attempted till peace had returned, he also talk of the attempt to coerce J&K police personnel into abandoning their stations. There was also an appreciation for the security forces - vilified in J&K - for "performing an extremely challenging task in difficult circumstances".
Singh noted the need to look at the needs of all three regions of the state saying presence of four senior ministers - Pranab Mukherjee, A K Antony, P Chidambaram and S M Krishna - indicated the Centre's intent.
While BJP leaders attended the meeting, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti kept away though agency reports from Srinagar later reported she welcomed the PM's initiative. However,on a TV channel, she called the meeting a "facade" and said it was the result of a decision taken at an all-party meet called by J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah.
While pointing out that both the Centre and the state had been forced to reach out to a "hawk" like Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mehbooba said her party was ready to meet the PM and that Singh had previously spoken to her as well. At the meeting itself there was some sparring as well with leaders targetting the NC - both chief minister Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq were present.
Though he would hardly be unaware of the stiff challenge of restoring calm in Kashmir, the PM relied on his persuasive and soft-spoken manner to point to his government's commitment to an engagement with Pakistan. He said the "brave rejection" of militancy allowed "us to pursue an unprecedented and intensive internal and external dialogue on issues that have bedevilled J&K for six decades".
Apart from facilitating trade across LoC, the government had changed its policy on allowing people representing "different shades of opinion" -- a reference that includes separatists -- to visit Pakistan, the PM said. "Nothing will give me greater satisfaction than to see a permanent and just settlement of all outstanding issues that protects the honour of self-respect of all sections," he said.
While he laid stress on the need for an honourable peace, he pointed out that it was the "bounden duty of the government to maintain law and order... We cannot allow turmoil to continue". He provided a careful formulation on the issue of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, saying he understood the public sentiment and that "eventually, the J&K police have to take the burden of normal law and order duties".
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