Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met a delegation of leaders of the Opposition Parties from Jammu and Kashmir led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and expressed “deep concern and pain at the prevailing situation” in the State.
The Omar-led delegation met the Prime Minister to discuss the ongoing turmoil in the Kashmir Valley and apprised him of the ground situation with an appeal to adopt a political approach in dealing with the unrest in the Valley which is on the boil 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.
Expressing concern at the situation in J&K, Modi said, “Those who lost their lives during recent disturbances are part of us, our nation; whether the lives lost are of our youth, security personnel or police, it distresses us.”
Modi conveyed to the delegation that his government and the nation stand with the state and suggested that all political parties should reach out to the people and convey the same. He expressed his commitment to the development of the state and its people, and appealed for restoration of normalcy.
The Prime Minister appreciated the constructive suggestions made in the meeting and reiterated his government's commitment to the welfare of citizens of the state.
Appreciating the constructive suggestions made in the meeting, Modi said that there has to be dialogue and we need to find a permanent and lasting solution to the problem within the framework of the Constitution.
He emphasized on the need for all political parties to work together to find a solution to the problems in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
Besides Omar, the delegation -- comprising a seven-member team of state Congress led by its PCC chief G A Mir, CPM MLA MY Tarigami, eight-member team of main opposition National Conference including its provincial chiefs Nasir Wani and Davinder Rana -- has been camping in the national capital and meeting political leaders from the government and opposition.
The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister, expressing its anguish, grief and sorrow over the painful loss of lives in the Valley and to express "dismay at the lack of a political approach to deal with the situation."
The delegation also submitted a memorandum to PM Modi seeking immediate ban on pellet guns in the state.
The situation in the Valley, which continues to remain under curfew for last 45 days, prompted all the opposition parties in the state, cutting across party lines, to join hands and request the Centre for initiating a political dialogue with all stake holders in the state.
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."
Flagging the issue of continued protests in which many youths have fallen victim to the ongoing protest including a young teenager named Irfan who was killed on Sunday night when a teargas shell burst on his chest in downtown, the memorandum requested the Prime Minister to announce "an immediate ban on pellet guns that have caused grievous injuries in the current unrest and maimed and blinded many young boys and girls".
"We also request you to advise relevant quarters against the policy of mass harassment, raids and arrests as this has worsened an already volatile situation in the state and goes against the values and principles of our democratic fabric and ethos," the memorandum said.
The delegation started the political initiative on Saturday when it met President Pranab Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum, requesting him to use his office to influence the Centre for initiating a political dialogue with all stakeholders in the state.
On Sunday, the delegation from the state met Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and apprised him of the situation in the state.
