Home Minister Rajnath Singh today chaired an all-party meeting in the capital to chalk out an action plan to end the current unrest in Kashmir. A proposal to reinstate peace in the strife-torn valley was unanimously passed in the meeting.
A unanimous statement of the APD released after the meeting appealed to the people of the state to shun the path of violence and resolve all the issues through dialogue and discussion.
Without making any reference to separatists including Hurriyat Conference, the statement asked the Central and state governments "to take steps for a dialogue with all stake holders". While some opposition leaders met Hurriyat Conference leaders lodged in various sub jails, hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani refused to meet them.
Expressing serious concern over the prevailing situation in the state, the statement said the members of the delegation were of the view that there is no place for violence in acivilised society.
"There can be no compromises on the issues of national sovereignty," it added.
The meeting asked both the governments to take steps to ensure that education institutions, government offices and commercial establishment start functioning normally at the earliest.
Briefing media, MoS PMO, Jitendra Singh said," Delegation feels there’s no place for violence in a civilised society,there can be no compromise on issue of national sovereignty."
He also said that members appeal to the people of the state to shun the path of violence & resolve all issues through dialogue and discussion.
At the meet, 26 lawmakers from 20 parties, who made up the all-party delegation that visited Jammu and Kashmir earlier this week, were present. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh also attended the crucial meeting.
Wednesday’s meeting comes amid reports that the Centre is planning to harden its stance vis-à-vis Kashmiri separatist leaders who snubbed individual members of the all-party delegation who tried to talk to them in Srinagar on Sunday.
On the table was a proposal to review facilities, including top security, provided to Kashmir separatists.
After the meeting, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said, the Left wants India to initiate bilateral talks with Pakistan
Yechury also rubbished reports of a hardening of stance against separatist leaders, stating that the Home Minister said in all party meet that reports of the government deciding to crack down on separatists is absolutely wrong.
He also said that he suggested five measures to improve the current situation that include a ban on the use of pellet guns, repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, making job opportunities available and initiation of unconditional talks with Hurriyat.
On Monday, Home Minister briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation in Kashmir on Monday and apprised him about the ground situation of the state assessed by the all-party delegation led by him.
Before the meeting, the Home Minister has met Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag.
Valley has been simmering since the death of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8.
Several parts of the Valley have been troubled by violence, stone-pelting and frequent clashes between security forces and protesters.
At least 74 persons, including two policemen, have been killed in the nearly two months of violence. Over 12,000 have been injured in last two months.
