However, in his statement, the PM indicated that the Centre is keen for a political outreach and is looking for a window to begin the process of dialogue, as he emphasized 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”.
Advertisement
Chief Justice T.S. Thakur’s observations came while the court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) seeking protection of civil liberties of citizens in the state and imposition of governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir due to the unrest.
Later, Omar Abdullah told the media after the meeting thatthe Prime Minister also acknowledged that “only development can’t resolvethe problem in Jammu and Kashmir”.
Speaking at an official function in Bhagwati Nagar area of the city, Mehbooba, who visited Jammu for the first time since violence began in the valley last month, said these people “who do not want peace in Kashmir are inviting youths to violence for their vested interests”.
The Supreme Court on Monday said certain dimensions of the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir could only be resolved through political interactions between stakeholders and that judicial intervention has its limits. If we don’t find a political solution to this, then every time we’ll repeat the same mistakes. “However, due to persistent efforts of the security forces or the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the situation has shown remarkable improvement, with the number of incidents declining progressively since the outbreak of violent protests and clashes”.
The Prime Minister’s meeting with the Kashmir politicians comes as the valley remained under strict curfew for the 45th day in a row. Asked to comment on finance minister Arun Jaitley’s statement in Jammu on Sunday that stone-pelters were no “satyagrahis but aggressors”, Abdullah said “I do not wish to say anything on this as the PM told us nothing like this”.
“We welcome Prime Minister’s statement”.
Earlier on Saturday, the delegation met President Pranab Mukherjee and apprised him of the situation prevailing in the state.
During the visit, the secretary general expressed deep concerns at the killing of innocent civilians and the gross violations of human rights in the occupied Kashmir.
Top sources say that the government is willing to engage all mainstream stake holders to bring peace back to the Valley.
Much of Indian-held Kashmir has been under curfew since protests broke out over the death on July 8 of a popular young rebel leader in a gunfight with security forces.
“Omar Abdullah, who led the delegation that met the PM today, criticised the minister’s comment saying “these statements are created to alienate people more”.
Advertisement
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”.
