A unanimous resolution adopted by all political parties on Wednesday appealed for peace and dialogue to bring normalcy restive Kashmir, while emphasising that there could be no compromise on the nation’s sovereignty and integrity, reports said. After the meeting, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechurry said that he had favoured some confidence building measures immediately which included banning the pellet guns, medical help to the injured and probe alleged excesses by the security forces. Direct dialogue is the only way forward.An open dialogue with the representatives of those leading the ongoing movement and overall struggle for realisation of political aspirations, without questioning the legitimacy of the leadership, is imperative. Gen Singh is scheduled to arrive in the Valley later in the day to review the security situation in the hinterland of the Valley and along the Line of Control, defence sources said. While some opposition leaders met Hurriyat Conference leaders lodged in various sub jails, hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani refused to meet them.
Advertisement
Before winding up the visit, the Home Minister sent out a clear message to separatists, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir will always remain an integral part of India.
State Congress Chief G A Mir, while appreciating the decision of the all-party delegation to hold talks with all stakeholders, said besides this there was nothing for them to offer.
“This is not the time to blame”.
At the meeting, MPs appealed that steps should be taken to reopen schools and other educational institutions in the Kashmir Valley, Union Minister Jitendra Singh told media.
He said the government needed to take some confidence-building measures for peace in Kashmir.
The delegation was in Srinagar on Sunday and had visited Jammu before returning to Delhi.
Yechury said the Government should follow up its Kashmir outreach initiative by taking concrete steps like former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, who had declared a unilateral ceasefire and held talks with militant group Hizbul Mujahideen. Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the members were of the view that there is no place for violence in a civilised society.
The members have also requested the governments to take effective steps to provide medical treatment to citizens and security personnel injured in the agitations.
“75 people have died, 1000s of civilians & security personnel have been injured and there is no sense of urgency in getting a grip on things!” he added.
An all-party meeting on Wednesday gave the government enough wriggle room to seek a political solution to the latest crisis in Kashmir.
Advertisement
“Unfortunately the separatist leadership missed the recent opportunity of engaging with the country’s Parliamentarians, during their visit to the state, to find a solution to the problem”, Mehbooba said, referring to the rebuff by separatists to an attempt by some MPs to reach out to Hurriyat Conference and others.
