J&K opposition presses for political dialogue

Opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir led by the National Conference has said that India and Pakistan should embark on the path of reconciliation, adding that holding talks to end the Kashmir problem is the solution to end terrorism in the region.

The meeting of the opposition leaders was presided over by NC veteran Farooq Abdullah, who pressed for result-oriented talks between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Farooq Abdullah said that war was no option for India and Pakistan. He said that the acrimony between the two hostile neighbours has led to the suffering of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. All opposition parties expressed concern over the disproportionate use of force by the security forces and random arrests by the state government.

Farooq Abdullah appealed to all political parties to talk together for peace and to initiate a political process for a final solution. He stressed upon the Central government to take steps to resolve the current unrest and start the process of dialogue.

All opposition parties including the Congress and CPI(M) have demanded the release of “political prisoners”, including Hurriyat Conference leaders in order to start the process of dialogue. Farooq Abdullah said that the Centre should not shy away from holding talks internally with stakeholders like the Hurriyat.

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Asking the government to make a road map to bring peace, Abdullah batted for the release of the youths who have been arrested during the current unrest that started with the encounter death of Hizb terrorist Burhan Wani on 8 July. The opposition leaders further asked the government not to stop its forces from vandalising the properties of citizens and also their agriculture and horticulture produce.

They said that a commission of enquiry by a retired Supreme Court judge should be set up to probe all the killings, injuries and use of pellet guns in the Kashmir Valley in the recent past.

Farooq Abdullah said that the state government should also reconsider its decision to hold the annual school examinations in November as the students have not completed their syllabus.

It is in place to mention that all opposition parties in Kashmir including the National Conference and Congress are mulling options to force the Central and the state governments to end the crisis which has crossed 100 days.