Discuss Kashmir crisis, ask GoI to hold serious dialogue on Kashmir’
Former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah who is heading a delegation of Opposition parties today met PM Narendra Modi at PMO office in new Delhi to discuss the ongoing turmoil in the state.
Reports say the delegation informed the Prime Minister of the ground situation in the state, ever since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani over a month ago on July 8. Over 66 people have been killed in clashes with security forces across the Valley.
The delegation submitted a memorandum to PM Modi seeking immediate ban on pellet guns in the state. They requested the Prime Minister to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders in the Kashmir valley immediately.
“A continued failure to address the unrest in Kashmir will further deepen the sense of alienation,” the delegation told PM Modi.
The delegation apprised the Prime Minister that the tried and tested formulations of dealing with the political issue in Kashmir administratively rather than politically has further exasperated the situation and “created an unprecedented sense of disaffection and disenchantment”, especially among the youth. “We are of the firm opinion that the Central Government should waste no further time in initiating a credible and meaningful political dialogue with all stakeholders to address the unrest in the state,” the memorandum said.
The delegation said continued failure to address the unrest in Kashmir will further deepen the sense of alienation and hoped that the Prime Minister will take immediate measures to address this grave situation.
The delegation included CPI-M MLA Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, state Congress President G A Mir, senior leaders of National Conference and some Independent MLAs.
Here’s the full text of the memorandum:
“This joint opposition parties’ delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, cutting across party lines and regions of the State, wants to register its anguish, grief and sorrow over the painful loss of lives in the Valley in the current unrest and also express dismay at the lack of a political initiative to deal with the situation.
More than sixty young lives have been lost in the Valley in the current unrest and thousands of young boys and girls have been injured due to an excessive use of force – many of whom have been blinded and maimed for life by the unchecked use of pellet guns.
The tried and tested formulations of dealing with the issue in Kashmir administratively rather than politically has further exacerbated the situation and created an unprecedented sense of disaffection and disenchantment – especially among the youth.
We are of the firm opinion that the Central Government should waste no further time in initiating a credible and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders to address the unrest in the State.
We also implore you to announce an immediate ban on pellet guns and advise relevant quarters against the policy of mass harassment, raids and arrests as this has worsened an already volatile situation in the State and also goes against the values and principles of democracy.
A continued failure to address the unrest in Kashmir will further deepen the sense of alienation. We hope you will take immediate measures to address this grave situation”.