“Whether the lives lost are of our youth, security personnel or police, it distresses us”, Modi said, according to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Advertisement
Leaders of opposition parties led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged the Prime Minister for a political initiative to deal with the situation in the state.
Omar told reporters afterrequested the prime minister to find a political solution to the Kashmir issue so that a lasting peace was ensured in the state as well as in the country.
The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need for a dialogue in Kashmir, which has been under curfew for 45 days at a stretch.
A senior party leader said Chief Minister Mehbooba seemed not to be too firm in cracking down on such elements because the hub of their activities is in south Kashmir, considered a PDP stronghold, and maintained the Centre has conveyed to her its views regarding the same. The Prime Minister has come to a semblance of a constructive approach over the Kashmir protests late in the day – nearly too late, some might argue, not without justification – but it is welcome despite all that.
The meeting comes a day after Modi´s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley warned that ongoing violence in the region would not be tolerated and described stone-throwers as among the aggressors.
This is his second visit in a month to the Valley which has been witnessing unrest since July 8 when Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces. The government is keen to end the cycle of violent protests and counter-offensives that has left at least 68 people dead in over five weeks of unrest.
“We also implore you to announce an immediate ban on pellet guns”, said a memorandum handed to Modi.
The delegation sought an “immediate ban on pellet guns” – a risky mob control weapons that has blinded hundreds of people, including children, in Kashmir.
“Joint Resistance Leadership will march towards 14 core of Indian Army at Badami Bagh, Srinagar (on Saturday) and ask the GOC to vacate Jammu and Kashmir”, a Hurriyat Conference spokesperson said.
The delegation warned that the continuing law and orderproblem and unrest in the state will only further alienate the people.
A police officer said the clashes erupted after troops tried to stop thousands of people who defied a curfew in the southern town of Pulwama.
“What would be the policy has to be decided by the government”, said Tewari.
This is the only way to bring peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Advertisement
“There are forces active on ground with unsafe agenda to divide the people in the name of religion and region and their every attempt has to be defeated with firmness”, she said and sought people’s cooperation in maintaining calm so that developmental initiatives can take shape.
