“Abdullah told media persons later that they told Modi that Kashmir was not an issue related to development or the lack of it”.
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At least 65 civilians have been killed and thousands injured, mostly by government forces firing bullets and shotguns at rock-throwing protesters. He said those who believe in “Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat” are welcome to meet him.
The leaders submitted a memorandum to Modi seeking immediate ban on pellet guns during crowd control in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
“We welcome Prime Minister’s statement”.
While it is too soon to tell if the mention of Baluchistan in the Independence Day speech reflects a policy change in India, analysts feel that it certainly marks “a rhetorical shift” and undoubtedly gives the troubled Pakistani province “a prominence that it did not enjoy before in India”.
“Political subversion and uncertainty that the state has faced in the last seven decades has already taken a heavy toll on the state, its economy and human resources”.
Also on Wednesday, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived on two-day visit to the restive region to discuss ways to defuse some of the largest protests in Kashmir against Indian rule in recent years. On Sunday evening, 17-year-old Irfan Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar, was killed after being struck by a tear gas shell which was sacked by state police to disperse protesters. Doctors said that he was brought dead in the hospital. PMO said the “meeting was held in an atmosphere of free and frank discussion”, while participants said they were received warmly by the PM and given a patient hearing.
The Centre had on August 5 told the apex court that there was a “remarkable improvement in the situation in Kashmir valley which was plunged into violent protests following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and two others on July 8”.
Restrictions under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPc) have also been imposed in Islamabad, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Pampore, Badgam, Sopore, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Handwara, Awantipora and Qaimoh towns, today, to maintain law and order in Kashmir Valley.
Andrabi said Modi’s response to these pro-India politicians explains their “uselessness” with regard to resolution of Kashmir issue.
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In another development, the Supreme Court Monday agreed with the stand of the central government on unrest in the IOK, saying that the issue could not be dealt with by the courts. “Everything can’t be managed in judicial parameters”, observed the court.
